A-level students discouraged by cost of university
Money worries are influencing the education decisions of A-level students, reveals research by Prospects at Jisc, home of the largest graduate careers website
Prospects' annual Early Careers Survey of more than 6,000 students and graduates found challenges around money had become an increasing concern among A-level students, rising to 40% this year from 32% at the start of the cost-of-living crisis in 2022.
The survey also found that while there are fewer students pursuing university courses, there is increased interest in apprenticeships. This year 54% of students surveyed were hoping to study full time, while 24% had opted for an apprenticeship, compared to 59% and 15% in 2022 respectively.
Of those students who had chosen not to go to university, half said it was because they were worried about the cost.
Meanwhile two-fifths of respondents indicated that their decision was because of a desire to earn money, while just over a third (36%) said that they could have a good career without going to university.
For prospective university students, their biggest concerns this year were cost of living (62%) and cost of tuition fees (61%).
Students have also become increasingly motivated by money when deciding to study for an undergraduate degree. The percentage of respondents motivated by their passion for the subject has declined slightly, dropping from 96% in 2022 to 92% in 2024, while the opportunity to earn a higher salary and have better career prospects have become more influential.
A third said salary had a large influence on their decision making this year compared with 30% in 2022 and 49% said they were largely influenced by career prospects, compared to 43% in 2022.
Prospects is urging students who are concerned that they might not get the A-level results they need to seek professional careers advice.
The survey reported that students found professionals the most helpful for advice and that they played an important role in helping students with skills identification, job suitability and motivation.
Chris Rea, a graduate careers expert at Prospects for Jisc, commented, 'What's not clear is whether student concerns are genuine or if they are caused by some of the rhetoric and misconception that university simply isn't worth it anymore.
'While apprenticeships are absolutely the right choice for some people, it means they start to make money earlier while gaining real life experience of a particular career path, university remains a valuable option and shouldn't be automatically discounted. A university degree opens up a broad range of careers and most graduates find skilled employment.
'The important question is whether students are making the best education decisions for them. Speaking to career professionals, people within a particular industry and teachers will help students a great deal when deciding their next steps.'
Media enquiries
Clare Tregaskis, Prospects and Jisc Student Services, clare.tregaskis@jisc.ac.uk, 07792 429227
About Prospects
Prospects has worked at the heart of higher education for more than 50 years. Part of Jisc Student Services, the directorate collaborates with government, universities and employers to improve student and graduate career outcomes through information, guidance and opportunities. It includes Prospects.ac.uk, which is visited by 1.8 million students and graduates each month, Prospects Luminate and the UK's official postgraduate course database. Jisc Student Services also manages Prospects Hedd degree verification and fraud services.
About Jisc
Jisc's vision is for the UK to be a world leader in technology for education and research. It owns and operates the super-fast national research and education network, Janet, with built-in cyber security protection. Jisc also provides technology solutions for members (colleges, universities and research centres) and customers (public sector bodies), helps members save time and money by negotiating sector-wide deals and provides advice and practical assistance on digital technology. Jisc is funded by UK higher and further education and research funding bodies and member institutions.