(Don't) show me the money
A Universities UK poll shows that students don’t choose university for a higher wage – they want to be ‘stellified’.
New research shows that students and graduates believe university provides a broad range of benefits, such as learning experience and the skills and confidence to start building a career, not just higher earning potential.
In a poll commissioned by Universities UK (UUK) students and recent graduates say that they decided to go to university for a broad range of reasons, including their interest in their chosen degree subject (56%), enjoying studying and learning (48%) and as a first step in building a career (50%). 84% agreed that their future salary was not the only factor they considered when deciding to go to university.
The poll also reveals other important assets include:
- developing skills such as time management, social skills and teamwork
- improving levels of confidence and becoming more independent
- making new friends and developing beneficial social networks
- awareness of social issues and debates
Programmes such as Stellify, which offers our students a unique and personalised set of activities to develop them beyond their degree and enrich their lives here on campus, have an essential part to play in their final choice and how they rate their experience once here.
Head of Student Development Colette Cooke said: “The UUK poll tells us clearly what our students expect from us. They want to do more than study for their degree – they want to open their minds and open the doors to an exciting future, which is wonderful to hear.
“We need to take notice of what they are saying and show them that here at Manchester, we have just what they need in Stellify.”
