November sentiment deck

1 – 30 November 2023

• Varying experiences with students’ university accommodation searches.​
• Mix of students’ application statuses, some having already submitted their applications for the 2024 entry, while others are still in the process of researching their options.​
• A growing interest in Degree Apprenticeships among Year 12 students; however, the majority still prioritising pursuing a university education as their primary choice.​
• Student to student experiences and discussions highly valued during the application process.​

Download the deck

Our Insight team have also recently released some exciting new results from our TSR Asks research, with topics including how the impact on cost of living on university decision-making, how students perceive changes to student finance and Year 11 approaches to university choices. You can access these summaries on our Insight Report page.

October 2023

– More than half of student lack confidence with money management
– 25% of students feel current A level structure should change
– Almost 75% of students polled are unaware what the TEF rating is
– Email is the most commonly preferred method of communication from universities by students

Read now

June 2023

– Majority of students think ChatGPT makes no difference to exams
– In person open days are the most helpful for Year 13s researching universities
– 73% of 2023 entry UG respondents had changed their firm choice plans due to the cost of living
– 77% felt the cost of living would impact their student experience at university

Read now

Sept 2023

– A new academic year brings nervousness
– Money management and study skills are top areas students are looking for support in
– Student experiences of Clearing
– Nearly two fifths of surveys 2023 undergrads felt that events had been the most influential information when deciding which university to go to

Read now

May 2023

– Activity in exam season
– Making friends is the biggest concern for students starting uni
– How students will support themselves financially at uni
– How 2024 entry prospective undergraduate students are planning to use the holidays

Read now

August 2023

– 25% of poll respondents were expecting to use Clearing due to missing their required results
– 57% of A-Level (and equivalent) students had grades lower than expected
– Students voted university league tables as the top decision maker in uni choice

Read now

April 2023

– Improvements to climate change and cost of living dominate students’ hopes for the future
– Cost of living impacts 38% of students’ plans on where to go to university
– More than 80% of 2023 applicants had responses from three or more
universities in April

Read now

July 2023

– The majority of Year 13s felt they’d missed their grades for their university offer
– 73% of students’ summer plans are impacted by rising cost of living
– Over half of students feel financial skills are missing from the school curriculum
– Only 30% of Year 12s have been given information about future options in addition to university

Read now

March 2023

– Students share thoughts on using ChatGPT for their homework
– Year 12 share their extra curricular activities to support uni applications
– Top choices for university accommodation
– Past papers and mark schemes are the way most students like to revise

Read now

February 2023

– The help Y12/13 need in making uni decisions
– Understanding of student finance
– The support freshers need
– Students’ thoughts on physical prospectus’
– Thoughts on UCAS new apprenticeship application service

Read now

January 2023

– Perceptions of apprenticeships
– Personal statement shake-up
– Teacher strikes
– The biggest differences in unis that students are choosing
– Responses from firm and insurance choices

Read now

December 2022

– Student life areas they want to be available from their uni
– Thoughts on personal statements
– Where students are at with their uni application
– Revision over Christmas

Read now

November 2022

– Are students clued up on student finance
– Are virtual open days still helpful
– What support is needed from uni’s ahead of applications being made
– Personal statement worries
– Year 12 and where they are at in their plans

Read now

October 2022

– Impact of the cost of living crisis
– Year 12: thoughts on their new sixth form/college
– Year 12: did they have enough information to make FE decisions
– Year 13: have they decided on their five uni choices
– Barriers faced when accessing sexual health services and advice

Read now

September 2022

– How freshers are settling in to uni accommodation
– Students’ sense of belonging
– What support is needed with UCAS applications
– What is most helpful when writing a personal statement
– How did those who used Clearing in 2022 find it
– Main worries in starting back at school/college

Read now

August 2022

– Grade confidence to get ito firm uni
– Expectations of using Clearing
– Intentions if miss expected grades
– How results will be received
– How are they feeling about their results (post Results day)
– What support do they need to prepare for uni
– How TSR helped with their uni application

Read now

July 2022

– What is impacting their mental health
– What are their main worries about A Level results
– What is missing from the school curriculum
– The impact of cost of living on university location
– Has society done enough to tackle issues facing LGBTQ+ people?
– Top priorities this summer
– Poetry in English lessons

Read now