Less than half of students believe that their university education will secure them a graduate-level job that will allow them to pay off their debts, according to new research.
A survey of more than 2,000 students found that 48 percent were either confident or very confident that their education would pay for itself in the future. However 24 percent said that they were either unconfident or not confident at all that their costs would be covered.
Eight out of 10 students who took part in the survey, commissioned by Future Finance, claimed that they expected a lot more from their university, given that tuition fees often reach £9,000.
Almost half said good teaching and feedback from tutors were the most important considerations when considering a university; 29 percent said their course was the most important factor, and 12 percent said a good university reputation was crucial.
Asked about paying higher fees at a more expensive university in the expectation of getting a better job, only 22 percent of students felt it would be worthwhile, and almost half disagreed.
Three out of 10 said they had chosen their university in order to be able to live at home to keep costs down, and fewer than 60 percent agreed that an education was worth the cost “as it sets you up for life”.
Brian Norton, CEO of Future Finance, commented: “Tuition fees in the UK went into orbit four years ago, and since then students have quite rightly become a lot more value-conscious. Our study clearly shows the three areas where universities must perform. There’s no substitute for good teaching, good courses and a good reputation. But many institutions also need to take a broader look at the student life cycle and ensure they create a clear, measurable path to long-term career success and employability.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.