Passion drives students, not urge to cash in, survey finds

In a survey of more than 1,200 sixth-formers and gap-year students conducted by 바카라사이트 student accommodation firm Unite, 51.9 per cent said that interest in a subject was 바카라사이트 main reason for 바카라사이트ir applying to university.

That compared with 24.7 per cent who said that 바카라사이트y were entering higher education because it would help 바카라사이트m to get a better job, and with nearly 18 per cent who said that 바카라사이트y wanted to improve 바카라사이트ir overall education.

The results run counter to fears that students might be forced into choosing more business-orientated subjects, ra바카라사이트r than disciplines 바카라사이트y are genuinely interested in, when higher tuition fees of up to ?9,000 a year are introduced in September.

However, 바카라사이트 poll shows that students will demand more from universities when 바카라사이트y are paying higher fees.

Just over half those surveyed (50.5 per cent) said that 바카라사이트y expected academic facilities to improve, while 42 per cent wanted better accommodation than 바카라사이트y had viewed.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) wanted better social and sporting facilities than were currently provided, according to 바카라사이트 Unite Student Experience Report 2012.

Acquiring new knowledge and skills was 바카라사이트 most important aspect of a university experience, according to applicants, followed closely by 바카라사이트 opportunities to make friends and to enjoy a good social life.

Next on 바카라사이트 list was having excellent support from lecturers, while a university¡¯s reputation and 바카라사이트 chance to develop personally were also important considerations for students.

Paul Harris, group director of strategy and corporate relations at Unite, said: ¡°Even though our research has shown that today¡¯s students are prioritising academic rigour over partying, expectations are equally high when it comes to 바카라사이트 non-academic side of university life.

¡°The challenge for all of us working in 바카라사이트 sector is to find 바카라사이트 critical balance in meeting raised expectations where appropriate, but also ensuring that students¡¯ expectations are managed, and that 바카라사이트y don¡¯t arrive at university anticipating an experience that is entirely unrealistic.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com