Two-thirds of UK students think their degree is developing the right skills they need to succeed in their next job, according to research undertaken by YouGov and Studiosity.
Overall, 65% of students are positive about their preparation for employment and 81% feel confident that they have strong English writing and communication skills needed to apply for/get a job, as highlighted in the final edition of UK Student Wellbeing Survey 2024. today.
Across all subject areas, students representing 149 UK higher education institutions are very confident that their degree is developing the skills they need, and this is particularly important for medical (81%) and nursing ( 79%).
Half of the 2,422 UK students surveyed say they feel confident of finding a job related to their degree within six months of graduating, and students aged 26-33 are most confident of finding employment within this timeframe time (61%).
To support their studies, 53% of students used their university academic support services and 66% of students with a high pass rate (85-100%) attended a workshop to improve their referencing skills compared to 55 % with a lower pass rate (50-64%).
Most students (58%) have learned about academic integrity: what it is, how to avoid plagiarism, and where to get reference help. When seeking help with referencing, almost a third of all students’ first preference is to ask their lecturer (31%). However, 46% of students also said that providing personal, 24/7 study and homework support would improve their overall sense of belonging.
Meanwhile, 67% of students report that the right course offering was the main reason for choosing their university, and university advertising was the main influencing factor in choosing a university for 72% of all students. When asked, nearly half of all students (49%) said the university’s global ranking or reputation was the most important factor.
The full UK Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 report, which is now available to download here, was part of YouGov’s global research of 10,189 student respondents, which also included Australia, New Zealand , Canada, the USA, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The comprehensive survey focused on topics such as experiences of study stress, reasons for choosing a university, belonging, connecting with colleagues, institutional support and future employment.
Writing in the final report, Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Bedfordshire, and a member of the Academic Advisory Board of Studiosity UK, reflected on how student wellbeing is very much at the heart of universities’ concerns and wellbeing support. it takes many forms across the sector.
She highlighted three key messages from the students surveyed, saying that
“each serves as a reminder of what matters to students and how challenging their lives can be.”
“Students tell us they have to work, and therefore need more flexibility and support to help them thrive.” Professor Bunting commented. “The survey shows the extent to which students need to be in paid employment during their studies, with nearly three-quarters of students working part-time and a quarter in full-time work. Inevitably, balancing work and study is a source of stress and this is a growing trend.
“Almost two-thirds of respondents felt that their university is not adapting quickly enough to provide AI tools to support learning. Universities are very alert to the rapid progress of AI and its impact on student behaviour, particularly in relation to assessment, but its potential for enhanced pedagogy and student support has been less well addressed.
“A sense of belonging is the key to student success. Students report that their experience of feeling stressed is significantly worsened if they too feel ‘lost’, that they do not belong at their university. They tell us that more personalized, 24/7 assignment and study support would improve their sense of belonging. Confidence in the ability to ask for help; study flexibility; access to mental health support and the ability to connect with peers are also important considerations raised in the responses.”
Isabelle Bristow, Managing Director UK and Europe at Studiosity, added:
“In partnership with many UK institutions, the Studiosity team continues our core mission to increase life chances for all students. In this spirit, we are committed to making this contribution to the sector and putting students’ well-being at the center of attention this year as well.”
Studiosity, the ethical writing feedback and study support service trusted by more and more universities and two million students, has recently launched a new AI learning technology Studiosity+ to support the academic skills of all students of the university.
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Image Source : www.fenews.co.uk
