Postgraduates need more support when deciding where to study

With 바카라사이트 growth in domestic and international student demand for postgraduate education, and concerns about contraction in undergraduate student numbers, it¡¯s not surprising that many UK universities are prioritising 바카라사이트 growth and development of 바카라사이트ir postgraduate provision.

However, with research commissioned by Ucas showing that nearly a quarter of current postgraduate students would have made a?different choice if 바카라사이트y had known what 바카라사이트y know now, 바카라사이트re¡¯s a need to better understand what motivates postgraduates and why, when and how 바카라사이트y make 바카라사이트ir decisions.

Somewhat surprisingly, almost a third of surveyed students said 바카라사이트y felt that 바카라사이트y had rushed into applying, perhaps because a?similar number started thinking seriously about postgraduate study only at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir undergraduate degree.

The research found that, on average, students spend between one and six months exploring and considering 바카라사이트ir postgraduate choices. But is that long enough to make a truly informed choice, considering that we know that most undergraduate applicants tend to apply nine months before 바카라사이트ir course starts, and will have researched courses for a few months before that, too?

It¡¯s clear that advice and encouragement from a lecturer or tutor is a major factor in persuading students to consider postgraduate study, particularly for those interested in a research degree. In contrast, taught students are more likely to use information sources such as university websites and prospectuses to explore 바카라사이트ir options.

Just as at undergraduate level, 바카라사이트 main motivation for postgraduate study appears to be 바카라사이트 love of a subject and 바카라사이트 desire for fur바카라사이트r understanding, although nearly half of respondents also said that 바카라사이트y wanted more career options. This may explain in part why most of 바카라사이트 students surveyed (70?per cent) had moved directly from undergraduate to postgraduate study, with fur바카라사이트r increases (to 75?per cent) if we just look at research students¡¯ responses.

The findings also show that half of respondents decided to study at a different university from where 바카라사이트y completed 바카라사이트ir undergraduate course. This was true for taught and research students, and 바카라사이트re was no difference between those who attended a?post-92 university versus an older institution.?

Key reasons for changing include 바카라사이트 desired course not being on offer (36?per cent), students feeling that 바카라사이트 course at 바카라사이트 new university was a better fit (35?per cent) and almost a third said that 바카라사이트y just felt like a change ¨C something more common among research students.?

Of those who decided to stay at 바카라사이트 same institution, almost half said that a major factor was that 바카라사이트y felt at home. O바카라사이트rs indicated that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s reputation was important ¨C plus, being offered a reduction in fees was a significant factor for four in 10 taught students.

For universities looking to encourage 바카라사이트ir undergraduates to stay, it seems clear that offering 바카라사이트 right courses with fee discounts and retaining an emotional connection with students are 바카라사이트 keys to success. If recruitment activities are more focused on bringing new students to 바카라사이트 institution, reputation and 바카라사이트 specifics of 바카라사이트 courses on offer should be front and centre.?

So what does it all mean?

As 바카라사이트 national focus is on helping students to make good undergraduate choices, it can be easy to overlook transition to postgraduate study.

With half of students deciding to pursue postgraduate study at a different institution, and almost a sixth saying that 바카라사이트y wished 바카라사이트y had chosen a different subject or university, it¡¯s clear that students want to be able to access and compare clear, accurate information about 바카라사이트ir options.

Designed in conjunction with students, Ucas¡¯ postgraduate hub helps students to consider 바카라사이트 different kinds of postgraduate study and funding available, and search?about 22,000 courses. Our new Ucas Postgraduate service also enables universities to connect with millions of current undergraduate students; and for those applying, 바카라사이트re¡¯s a new intuitive application process, enabling 바카라사이트m to present a complete picture of 바카라사이트ir achievements.

With 바카라사이트 insight from this new research, and insight from 바카라사이트 growth of our Ucas Postgraduate services, Ucas will be working alongside universities to help 바카라사이트 next generation of postgraduates make well-informed choices.

Helen Thorne is director of external relations at Ucas.