Executive summary 6 Thematic analysis Appendices Introduction Applicant Index Report 2026 Executive summary The fifth Applicant Index shows that the 2026 applicant cohort remains strongly motivated by the opportunities higher education offers. The wider experience of university life continues to matter deeply, and most applicants still expect to live away from home rather than commute. Overall, the picture is one of sustained demand: students continue to be ambitious about what university can offer and are drawn to the experience of living and learning independently. This year’s applicants are approaching higher education in a more thoughtful and deliberate way. They are making practical decisions about how to make university work for them, balancing study with part ‑ time work and thinking carefully about how they will manage day ‑ to ‑ day life. Many expect to work during term time, not only to support themselves but also to build skills and experience alongside their studies. These choices reflect a cohort that is adapting to real ‑ world conditions while staying focused on the long ‑ term value of higher education. At the same time, applicants remain ambitious about what they want from their university experience. They are looking not just for academic success, but for an environment that helps them feel settled, confident and able to make the most of their time at university. While this ambition remains strong, confidence in some areas of day ‑ to ‑ day readiness has softened slightly compared with last year. Finance, wellbeing, learning, resilience and employment scores have all edged down, suggesting that students may need more reassurance and practical support as they transition into higher education. For the third year in a row, over a third of applicants in full ‑ time education say they have missed learning because of their mental health, and many expect this may continue into university, representing a notable proportion of the overall cohort. This points to a more lasting shift in how students experience education and underlines the importance of environments that help make day ‑ to ‑ day university life feel manageable, supportive and connected from the outset. Belonging, equity and inclusion Back to contents
Unite Students Applicant Index 2026 Page 5 Page 7
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