Employability is key to university choice
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by business editor Trevor
Sturgess
Employability has become the
main factor in studying at university amid mounting concern at
rocketing fees.
That’s the conclusion of a
Populus survey for KPMG, the accounting and business advisory firm,
in the wake of recent figures showing university applications down
by 9%.
With unpromising employment
prospects for graduates, university is now regarded by 68% of
parents and students as a route to a job, with only 12% talking
about a desire for a rounded education.
Just 5% said it was about
"finding yourself" while only 2% claimed it was about "having fun."
Choice of course is also being increasingly determined by job
prospects.
The new high-fee regime - the
maximum £9,000 a year at some universities - including Kent but
less for most courses at the Universities of Greenwich and
Canterbury Christ Church - has raised parental expectations of
better and timetabled careers advice.
Despite postponed repayment
arrangements, one in five parents (19%) admit that "part of me
hopes my child won’t get in - or hadn’t got in - to university
because of the costs I could face."
Most parents (77%) said the
increase would be a barrier to their child going to university
while 69% of school leavers planning to go to university say it
could be a barrier. Despite this, a majority (71%) still believe
that going to university is as important as ever.
Oliver Tant, head of audit at
KPMG, said: "The competition and the perceived costs involved mean
that a return on investment is essential."
Parents and students should look
at all the options before deciding on university and it was
"crucial for employers to do more to develop programmes that offer
credible, quality alternatives to school leavers."
Monday, February 06 2012
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