Market Research TeamMRA

January 2015

Base

249

19 811%

88%

9%1%

1%

16 or under

17 - 21

22 - 34

35 - 44

45 - 54

95.6%

0.4%

0.8%

2%

0.8%

0.4%

White

Asian

Black

Mixed

Other

Prefer not to say

Base

249

4%10%

8.8%

3.6%

8%

10%

8.8%

4.8%

40.6%

0.4%

0.4%

80.5%

58.5%

45.5%

23.4%

15.7%

12.9%

4.1%

2.3%

8.3%

2.4%

6.5%

11.2%

17.2%

33.2%

52.1%

70.2%

73.1%

87.1%

95.9%

Close friend from school/college

Aunt, uncle or cousin

Older brother or sister

Father

Mother

Younger brother or sister

Guardian/carer

Went to university aged 17-24 Went to university as a mature age student Did not go to university

249

248

98

205

167

93

215

Base

271

87.5%

65.7%

51.3%

50.6%

49.4%

15.5%

11.1%

9.2%

5.9%

2.2%

To study a subject that really interests me

I want to achieve a degree

To improve my job prospects generally

I enjoy learning and studying

To train for a specific type of job

Family wanted me to go to university

Teachers advised me to go to university

I didn't want to get a job right away

All my friends were going to university

Other

Other

For the social aspect.

Gain Independence by Studying Away and leaving home.

I also wanted the university experience.

It was recommended by a current student.

To get the experience of living on my own.

Base

269

12

34

5

To study a subject that really interests me

To improve my job prospects generally

To train for a specific type of job

I want to achieve a degree

I enjoy learning and studying

6

7

I didn't want to get a job right away

Other: Personal experience

49.1%

20.1%

15.2%

11.2%

3%

1.1%

0.4%

Midwifery 15

Psychology 15

Geography 12

History 11

Primary Education 11

English 10

Animal Behaviour & Welfare 7

Biology 7

Adult Nursing 6

English Literature 6

Law 6

Animal Behaviour 5

Business 5

Criminology 5

Early Childhood Studies 5

Animal Management/Zoo Management

4

Dietetics 4

English Language 4

Events Management 4

Modern Languages 4

Nursing 4

Sociology 4

Sports and Exercise Science 4

Teaching 4

Chemical Engineering 3

Drama 3

Journalism 3

PGCE 3

Tourism 3

Wildlife Conservation & Ecology 3

Biomedical Science 2

Child Nursing 2

Conservation Biology 2

Creative Writing 2

Education 2

Fine Art 2

International Development 2

Nutrition and Dietetics 2

Politics 2

Popular Music Performance 2

Social Work 2

Sports Journalism 2

Animal Behaviour and Psychology

1

Animal Care 1

Computer Science 1

Conselling Skills and Criminology 1

Criminology and Sociology 1

Culinary Science 1

Drama and Creative Writing 1

Drama and Theatre Studies 1

Education and English Literature 1

English and Sociology 1

English Literature and Creative Writing 1

English Literature and Religious Studies 1

English Literature and Spanish 1

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 1

Enviromental Hazards 1

Events Management and Business Management

1

Film Studies 1

Forensic Biology and Archaeology 1

Forensic Biology and Psychology 1

Forensic Science 1

French and Business 1

Geography and International Development

1

Geography and Natural Hazards 1

Graphic Design 1

History and Economics 1

History and Theology 1

History and Theology & Religious Studies 1

Human Nutrition 1

International Business 1

Languages 1

Marketing 1

Marketing, PR, Advertising 1

Mathematics 1

Mechanical Engineering 1

Media 1

Music Journalism 1

Musical Theatre 1

Nutrition and Fitness 1

Performing Arts 1

Philosophy and Theology 1

Photography 1

Policing, Law and Investigation 1

Politics and International Relations 1

Politics and Sociology 1

Religious Studies 1

Sports Science and Psychology 1

Theology 1

Theology and Religious Studies 1

Theology, Religious Studies & French

1

Tourism Management and Event Management

1

Youth Work 1

Base

270

Yes51%

No49%

Chester 24

University of Liverpool 14Edge Hill 10

University of Leeds 9University of Manchester 9

Liverpool John Moores 7Lancaster University 6MMU 6

Bangor University 5Cambridge 5

Keele University 5Leeds Beckett University 5

University of Birmingham 5University of Salford 5Newcastle University 4

Oxford 4

University of Hull 4

University of Nottingham 4Plymouth 3

University of Sheffield 3

Wolverhampton 3

Aston University 2Bedfordshire 2Cardiff 2Harper Adams 2Huddersfield University 2

Liverpool Hope 2

Northumbria 2

Southampton 2Surrey 2Swansea University 2University Campus Suffolk

2

University of Bristol 2University of Essex 2University of Law 2

University of York 2Aberdeen 1

Anglia Ruskin 1Bath Spa 1

Belfast 1

Birmingham City 1

Bishop Grosseteste 1

Bournemouth 1

Coventry 1

De Montfort University 1

Derby 1

Glyndwr 1

Leicester 1

London Veterinary College 1

Loughborough 1

Nottingham Trent 1

Sheffield Hallam 1

Staffordshire University 1

University of Lincoln 1

UCLan 1

Worcester 1

Wrexham 1

York St. John 1

Base

139

Yes48%

No52%

Taster lecture 24Campus tour 21HE and Student Life talk 13Practical demonstration 8Activity session 7Finance talks 7University Fair 6Course talk 6Meeting current students 5Personal Statements workshop 4Science experiments 2Exam skills 1Maths competition 1Residential visit 1Translation booth 1UCAS talk 1

Yes, the conference made me realise I really wanted to study

psychology at degree level.

The technology available for students looked

fantastic.

The students and their passion for

their courses.

The realisation I would need to go to university to be able to achieve my

dream to teach.

Talk on finance made it sound affordable as I thought I wouldn't be able to afford it.

The fact that I want a good job in the future that a degree will help

with.

I found the university life very upbeat and

exciting.

That we were able to learn how to be

independent.

It solidified in my mind what I wanted

to study.

Base

269

Yes55%

No36%

Unsure9%

Chester 16

Newcastle University 14

University of Liverpool 13

University of Manchester 12

University of Leeds 9

Liverpool John Moore 9

Edge Hill 8

MMU 8

University of York 7

Huddersfield 6

Many 6

UCLan 6

Nottingham 5

Lancaster University 4

Leicester 4

University of Lincoln 4

Birmingham 3

De Montfort 3

Goldsmiths 3

Leeds Beckett 3

Sheffield Hallam 3

Southampton University 3

Staffordshire 3

Aberystwyth University 2

Aston 2

Bradford 2

Cardiff 2

Cumbria 2

Durham University 2

Edinburgh 2

Edinburgh Napier 2

Exeter 2

Hull 2

Liverpool Hope 2

Northumbria 2

Nottingham Trent 2

Oxford 2

Plymouth 2

Sheffield 2

Surrey 2

UEA 2

University of Derby 2

University of South Wales 2

Wolverhampton 2

York St John 2

Anglia Ruskin 1

Bangor University 1

Bedfordshire 1

Birkbeck 1

Birmingham City 1

Blackburn University 1

Bolton 1

Brighton 1

Bristol 1

Brunel 1

Cambridge 1

Coventry University 1

Glyndwr 1

Hertfordshire 1

Leeds Trinity 1

London Imperial 1

Loughborough University 1

Northampton 1

St Andrews 1

Sussex 1

Swansea 1

Teesside 1

University of South Wales 1

University of Law 1

Warwick 1

Westminster 1

Base

147

Yes40%

No60%

HE and Student Life talk 16Finance Talk 9Personal Statements advice 9Course talk 6Taster lecture 6Advise workshop 5Practical demonstration 5Application information 4Campus tour 4Activity session 3University fair 3Team building 2Access course information 1Accommodation information 1Course Q&A 1Maths competition 1

Meeting current students 1

Debt wouldn't be as bad as first thought.

Great atmosphere, everyone was really

friendly.

That you don't have to pay student loan back

straight away.

The help that they offered the students

who went to the university.

Yes, the career prospects made me

think I do want a psychology degree in

which I can get a career in.

The mention of the social aspect of the

university.

Not just studying, I learned about the

university life.

The loan is paid back slower than I thought it

would be.

The atmosphere that I experienced while at the

university.

Base

266

I receive too much marketing information from universities

The amount of marketing information I receive from universities is about right

Universities that send me too much information put me off

applying to them

10.2

1.1

17.4

45.5

9.8

42.6

33.5

32.5

18.9

8.3

49.1

17.4

2.6

7.5

3.8

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

Base

261

I receive too much marketing information from the University of Chester

The amount of marketing information I receive from the University of Chester is about right

The University of Chester sent me too much marketing information and has put me off

applying to them

The University of Chester's marketing information helped me to decide to apply there

The University of Chester's marketing information is of good quality

2.7

2.7

4.2

18.8

54.1

2.7

5.7

12.6

57.5

37.8

19.5

24.9

37.8

19.9

6.9

59

52.9

34

2.7

0.4

16.1

13.8

11.5

1.1

0.8

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

Base

260

By email65%

By post35%

By SMS0%

Base

261

12345

Base

146

Yes56%

No44%

6

76.7%

11%

5.5%

3.4%

2.1%

1.4%

Allowed me to get prospectuses and more

information about a vast number of universities.

UCAS - Newcastle

Helped me narrow down universities I wish to apply to as well as informing me of backup courses if

I cannot do sport and exercise science.

Manchester

Lots of unis to choose from and ask questions. Also shows unis I would not have

applied to if I hadn't seen them at the fair.

Leeds Beckett

There were lots of opportunities to talk to

university's about subjects and it helped me decide where I

was going.

Liverpool Hope

Enabled me to talk to representatives from the university and see if they

did they courses that I wanted to do.

Lincoln

Useful for asking university representatives

specific questions and getting their prospectus.

Lincoln

Gained information on each university I

wished to go to, allowing decisions before going.

HertfordshireBecause I was able

to gather prospectuses and talk to members of

staff from the universities.

Birmingham

I got to see all universities together in

one space.

UCAS - Manchester

Base

259

Yes69%

No10%

Unsure21%

Retail 76Waiting on 35Anything 29Bar work 21Course related 11Casual work 8Café work 6Campus work 4Carer 4Leisure centre 4Office work 4Catering 4Animal Care 2Child Care 2

Cinema 1Cleaner 1Diving Instructor 1Hospitality 1Music Tutor 1Security 1Self-employed 1Travel 1Year in industry 1

Base

259

76.8%

11.2%5.4% 5.4% 1.2%

In University halls ofresidence

With my parents In privately rentedaccommodation

In my own home With other relatives

Base

247

16 19Hours Hours

FYES 2014Hours per week studying away from timetabled teaching:

62% 1-10 hours27% 11-15 hours

Base

236

20.2%

19.2%

16.3%

13.4%

7.6%

4.5%

3.7%

3.4%

3.4%

2.9%

2.9%

0.8%

0.8%

0.5%

0.5%

Meeting new people

Developing my knowledge

Studying a subject of interest

Independence

Student life

Gaining a degree

Improving job prospects

A new experience

New city / environment

Placements

Sports and societies

Attending lectures

Studying abroad

Everything

Studying in the laboratory

Base

254

61.4%

53.5%

51.2%

42.1%

39.0%

33.9%

5.1%

29.0%

23.4%

14.1%

9.3%

10.9%

11.3%

2%

Achieving good grades whilst at university

Student finance and funding

Making friends at university

Working part-time and studying for your degree

The transition from school/college to university

Living away from home

Other

Any Concerns Most Concerned About

Base

248

The Times / Sunday Times

Good University Guide

The Guardian University

Guide

National Student Survey

Unistats website

The Complete University

Guide

World University Rankings

Graduate employment

data

Which? University

Guide

None of the above were

useful

62

.1%

60

.1%

59

.7%

58

.9%

57

.3%

55

.2%

52

.8%

39

.9%

39

.5%

40

.3%

48

.7%

45

.4%

39

.1%

24

.8% 3

1.9

%

23

.9%

8.1

%

5.6

%

25

.8%

9.3

%

11

.7%

4% 1

2.5

%

4%

17

.7%

I am aware of I used in my research Most useful

Base

249

The following are good indicators of university quality

University League Tables

Graduate Employment Data

National Student Survey Satisfaction Rating

The following helped me to decide on a particular university

University League Tables

Graduate Employment Data

National Student Survey Satisfaction Rating

%

4

3.2

2.4

10.4

7.7

3.7

29.7

29.6

28.2

50.6

47.4

53.9

5.2

12.1

11.8

8.8

9.2

4.4

27.7

22.5

27

28.1

33.3

35.1

32.5

28.1

27.8

2.8

6.8

5.6

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Base

249

The following are somewhat confusing

University League Tables

Graduate Employment Data

National Student Survey Satisfaction Rating

The following had no influence on my decision making for university

University League Tables

Graduate Employment Data

National Student Survey Satisfaction Rating

%

5.7

6.4

8.5

33.7

39.8

36.3

34.1

39

46.4

24

13.3

7.7

2.4

1.6

1.2

9.2

12

7.7

32.5

28.5

26.6

26.9

30.5

37.1

18.9

20.1

21

12.4

8.8

7.7

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Base

57Base

227

52.9%

33.0%

32.2%

30.0%

24.2%

18.1%

16.7%

14.5%

8.8%

8.4%

7.9%

7.9%

7.0%

5.3%

4.8%

3.5%

2.2%

1.8%

Facilities / Resources

Lectures and Contact Time

Accommodation

Books / Learning Materials

Lecturers

Equipment

Quality Teaching

The Course

Trips / Fieldwork

Campus up keep

Living Costs

Support

Food

Travel

Extracurricular Activities

Placements

Employability

Exams

Base

57Base

249

I know where to find information on student finance and funding

I have received appropriate advice about what university would be like before I applied

Information about student finance and funding is complicated

I have concerns about financing my way through university

I am satisfied with the help my school/college has given me when applying to university

I would like further information about when I need to start paying my tuition fees after I graduate

I fully understand when I need to start paying back my tuition fees after I graduate

%

4.8

4.8

2

4.4

3.2

4

2.8

24.5

20.2

23.3

19.8

12

15.7

13.8

25.7

23.8

22.9

18.5

24.9

19.4

19.4

34.1

42.7

41

40.7

45

38.7

52.6

10.8

8.5

10.8

16.5

14.9

22.2

11.3

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Base

57Base

249

Yes50%

No30%

Unsure20%

LJMU sent a finance info leaflet with their open day itinerary in

the post.

The University of Chester had the best student finance talk out of other universities I visited

which helped my parents to understand better.

Chester - Leaflet at open day as Welsh system

different when looking at English uni's.

Edge Hill University, I thought the way the information about finance was set out across the page in lists was extremely

helpful and easy to understand.University of Chester

talk, it was helpful because it let me know of bursaries and how it

all actually works.

Keele explained about how much money I

would actually get aside from tuition fees.

Cardiff Met because they explained it to

everyone clearly and it was scheduled well

into the day.Birmingham - gave an overview of what you

have to repay and what I may be entitled to.

Government organisation came into school and gave

us leaflets and a presentation on money

management.