A recent study has found that four in 10 school leavers have changed their mind about their upcoming higher education plans. Of these, 37 per cent had planned to go to university but are now reconsidering, while one in 10 are questioning their gap year plans
The study found that 28 per cent of school leavers who have changed their minds point to uncertainty about the economy as their motivation. 22 per cent are concerned about their personal finances, with one in five making new plans to be closer to family.
While financial uncertainty seems to be the primary concern of school leavers according to this study, there is also the loss of a traditional university experience to be considered. For many, going to university is not just about the education, but also about the experience.
When I found out that first year might not be the standard university experience due to the pandemic, I definitely considered doing a gap year
‘The experience’ does not just mean socialising and nightlife, which it seems will inevitably be put on hold for the beginning of the next academic year, but also the opportunity to attend in-person lectures and seminars, and engage in discussions with both academics and peers. With some universities already announcing plans for lectures to be online for the next academic year, some school leavers have been left wondering if they will really get what they are paying for. Sophie, an 18 year old from South London, said: ‘When I found out that first year might not be the standard university experience due to the pandemic, I definitely considered doing a gap year.’
All this uncertainty does not bode well for British universities. In April 2020, it was reported that the sector stands to lose around £2.5 billion next year in tuition fees alone due to an expected decrease in both domestic students and international students. Meanwhile, the University of Birmingham could see international student income drop by £80 million.
However, not all school leavers have entirely given up on starting university this September. Sophie went on to say that despite considering a gap year briefly, ‘I thought realistically where would I be able to go? If there was a second wave my plans might get cancelled and on top of that applying for university again would be even harder with more competition from the year below.
‘I thought there wasn’t much practicality in a gap year and as I’m hopefully doing a year abroad as part of my course it didn’t seem essential. As sad as I am that I might not get the standard first year experience, I’ll still get to meet people, make friends and at some point go to lectures, it might just take a little longer than I was expecting.’
What the overall turnout for universities will be like next year remains to be seen.
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