Next steps: UCAS report on LGBT+ students – September 2021
Each year, 40,000 LGBT+ students apply to UK higher education. For many, the transition to education and training presents an opportunity to consider how they discuss their identity. This research, in partnership with Stonewall, explores:
- the progression characteristics of LGBT+ students, including popular courses, providers,and the relationship with other characteristics.
- the experience of LGBT+ students in education to date, and their expectations for higher education.
- the key influencers of LGBT+ students when making decisions about their future.
Next steps: What is the experience of LGBT+ students in education? (1.48 MB)
Where next? Who doesn't plan to start a full-time undergraduate degree in autumn? – August 2021
Our latest research found that 56% of 17-19 year olds who are receiving their grades on results day, but not intending to start a traditional degree course in the autumn, have considered an apprenticeship. A further 22% said their main plan is an apprenticeship (16% higher/degree level, 6% advanced level). It also found:
- The main features of apprenticeships are attractive to young people, including choosing options that ‘earn money’ (50%), to continue learning but in ‘a different way’ (43%), and to do something ‘new and different’ (42%).
- 11% say they had received enough careers information, advice, and guidance and did not require any more, while 9% state they did not receive any at all.
- Just under a fifth of students (18%) who are not planning to go to university or college in autumn feel they do not have many options for next year.
Where next? Who doesn't plan to start a full-time undergraduate degree in autumn? (1.37 MB)
Starting the conversation: UCAS report on student mental health – June 2021
This deep dive into student mental health, one of the most pertinent issues impacting education and training today, identified an over 450% increase in the disclosure of mental health conditions over the last decade. In addition, the report found:
- 3.7% of all UK applicants declared a mental health condition in their application to study in 2020 – up from 0.7% in 2011.
- Women are 2.2 times more likely to declare a mental health condition than men.
- Alongside engineering, medicine and dentistry courses have the lowest declaration rates, with only 1.4% of accepted applicants sharing an existing mental health condition.
- Some LGBT+ students are around six times more likely to share a mental health condition, and care experienced students are almost three times as likely – underlining the value of recognising how mental health intersects with other characteristics and support needs.
- One in five students research support specifically for an existing mental health condition before they apply, and more than one in four look at the provision of general mental health and wellbeing service.
Starting the conversation: UCAS report on student mental health (565.91 KB)
Where next? Improving the journey to becoming an apprentice – May 2021
Our second report in the ‘Where next?’ series focused on the experience of students exploring apprenticeship opportunities. Key findings include:
- Over half of students looking to apply to higher education in 2022 are interested in apprenticeships, but find it difficult to access relevant information.
- More needs to be done to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships - only 8% of students surveyed associated apprenticeships with leading to a good job.
- Only 4% of students associate the word ‘prestigious’ with apprenticeships, compared with 76% for a traditional university degree.
Where next? Improving the journey to becoming an apprentice (183.86 KB)
Where next? What influences the choices school leavers make? – April 2021
A ground-breaking report, based on a survey of 27,000 students, mapping how they make their education choices, and the consequences of these choices. Key findings include:
- One in five students couldn’t study a degree subject that interested them because they didn’t have the right subjects to progress. This is most apparent for some degree courses, such as medicine and dentistry, maths, economics or languages.
- One in three students understand that higher education is an option for them at primary school. However, advantaged students are 1.4 times more likely to think about higher education in primary school than their disadvantaged peers.
- One in three students do not receive information about apprenticeships, despite the Baker Clause in England.
Where next? What influences the choices school leavers make? (1.56 MB)
What happened to the COVID cohort? Lessons for levelling up in 2021 and beyond – December 2020
Providing unparalleled insight into the trends and behaviours of students progressing to higher education during the pandemic, and challenges faced in levelling up participation. Key findings included:
- Record proportions of UK 18 year olds applied (41.5%) and were accepted (37%) into university or college, despite widespread concern that demand for higher education would fall due to the pandemic.
- Based on the current trajectory, it will take 332 years to close the equality gap in participation between the most and least advantaged. The annual admission of 70 more of the most disadvantaged English 18 year old pupils to each higher tariff provider could all but eliminate the equality gap highlighted through UCAS’ multiple equality measure (MEM) in just a decade.
- The UK’s 18 year old population is set to rise; UCAS projects there will be an additional 90,000 applicants by 2025 and potentially increased competition for the most selective courses. Without intervention, there is potential for widening access and participation progress for traditional three-year, full time undergraduate programmes to stall, and possibly reverse.
End of Cycle Report 2020: What happened to the COVID cohort? (1.84 MB)
What happened to the COVID cohort: Annex A (466.51 KB)
What happened to the COVID cohort: Annex B (303.74 KB)
What happened to the COVID cohort: Annex C (440.89 KB)
Upcoming reports
Over the next 12 months, UCAS is undertaking further research.
Where next? The experience of international students
International students have a very different application journey compared to UK domiciled students, with fee status, visa requirements and post-study considerations. This research will explore their experience.
The new nurses: UCAS report on the growth in demand for nursing courses
The pandemic has brought with it a significant increase in demand for higher education, and swathes of applicants have been inspired by the efforts of key workers.This research will explore their motivations.
Where next? Apprenticeships
The original ‘Where next?’ report examined the decision-making of students progressing to higher education. This iteration explores the decision-making of students progressing to an apprenticeship.