Value for money, debt and an interest in courses where a career path is opened means today?s students are weighing up their options when it comes to higher education, writes Elizabeth Ivens
This summer saw a buyer?s market for thousands of students, as a dip in applications resulted in some of the UK?s leading universities offering record numbers of places through Clearing to fill courses. But despite this, UCAS reported that Clearing service calls fell and applications were down by 4%, the first fall since fees increased in 2012.
Less than a decade ago, this would have been unthinkable with applications soaring, Russell Group universities yet to enter Clearing and almost every university place hotly contested.
But with the advent of fees, universities have been accused of pricing themselves out of the market. The Brexit effect has also seen the beginning of a slump in European applications. Add to the mix comments from the Head of one of the UK?s most famous schools, Julian Thomas from Wellington College in Berkshire, that ?university may not be the route for everyone? and the sense of major change is clear.
Meanwhile employers have upped the ante, sensing student reluctance to commit to debt, and have worked hard to introduce attractive schemes to tempt the brightest students at an earlier age.
Changing times
Many companies are also offering very attractive degree apprenticeships: a mix of work and study with fees paid. Once the preserve of the Armed Services ? who thems...