TIDMUTG
Unite Group PLC (The)
12 November 2020
12 November 2020
93% of students intend to stay on at university, despite
Covid-19 challenges
New research reveals that although 2020 has seen significant
challenges,
students in the UK have adjusted well and intend to continue
their university courses in January 2021
-- Four in five students (81%) agree that although it is not how
they expected their first year at university to be, they value
their time there
-- Almost three quarters of students say they've transitioned
well to life at university this year (72%) with university peers,
parents and universities themselves offering the most valued
support
-- The results overwhelmingly show that students are happy with
the choices they've made: not to defer (81%) and to move away from
home (82%) despite coronavirus
-- However, challenges remain: 54% would still like to receive
more support from their university
Unite Students, the UK's largest provider of student
accommodation, asked 1,000 UK students about their experience
during the first months of the new academic year. The survey found
that despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the
vast majority (93%) intend to remain at university and continue
with their courses for the rest of this academic year. More than
four in five (85%) said it was likely they would stay in their
current accommodation to do this (vs 7% who said it was
unlikely).
Over four in five students are happy they decided to go to
university, with 81% agreeing that although it is not how they
expected their first year at university to be, they value their
time there. More than a quarter (27%) strongly agreed.
Almost three quarters of students who were polled by Opinium in
November say they have transitioned well to starting or continuing
university this year (72%) and nearly two thirds (63%) say their
university has done a good job of supporting them during this
period. Three quarters (75%) also agree that living in student
accommodation [1] away from home and being at university is better
than the alternative.
When asked about support for transitioning to university,
students have found their peers and friends at university as the
most helpful source (46%), followed by parents (34%) and their
university (31%).
However, just over half (52%) of students agree they are meeting
new people and making new friends, while 29% disagree; perhaps a
product of the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions and social
distancing this year. Some students also said they'd like to
receive greater support in the current climate.
Students are happy with their decisions
Despite the pandemic, the results overwhelmingly show that
students are happy with the choices they've made. 81% are glad they
decided not to defer and 82% are happy they moved to student
accommodation rather than staying at home during the pandemic,
driven by a desire to 'immerse themselves in university life'
(41%), live with people their own age away from home (34%), wanting
independence from their parents (27%) and experience a new city
(23%).
For almost a quarter of students, deferring the 20/21 academic
year never crossed their minds (24%), while the same proportion
believe now is the right time to invest in their education.
The importance of the whole university experience is reflected
in students' decisions to live away from home, with the majority of
students feeling they are benefitting from the experience this
year; 92% like the greater independence that comes from living away
from home and 64% like living with people their own age. 85% also
said it was likely they would stay in their current accommodation
in January.
Commenting on the survey results, Richard Smith, Chief Executive
of Unite Students, said:
"In what has been a very difficult year for students, it is
reassuring - but not surprising - to see an exceptional sense of
resilience come through in these survey results. Despite the
pandemic, students continue to see the value in not just the
educational aspect of their degrees, but also in the social skills
and independence that the wider university experience provides. The
majority are committed to continuing this experience, although it
may be different and they are adjusting to a new learning
experience.
"Likewise, I know how challenging it has been for all of those
who work in the sector, throughout the UK, to support students, and
keep them safe and secure while still providing a meaningful and
enjoyable experience. Given the scale of the challenge and
uncertainties we have all faced, I think this is something that
they should all be very proud of.
"Doing the right thing for our students and staff has been our
priority throughout the pandemic and it is important that we
maintain our focus on this throughout the winter and beyond. We are
already looking forward to welcoming students back in January as
they continue their studies."
Commenting on the survey results, Nick Hillman, Director of the
Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), said:
"It is easy to forget how aspirational people are about their
own lives. This important new research reminds us that students are
keen to learn, keen to get on with their lives and keen to make the
best of the opportunities they have, despite the challenging times
in which we live.
"Covid has disrupted students' lives in unfortunate and
regrettable ways but they are acting rationally in wanting to
continue with their education. It is always better to learn than to
build a blank space on your CV and their current behaviour is
helping to set them up for success in the post-pandemic world when
it eventually comes.
"We often hear complaints about 'snowflake students'. Yet far
from this caricature, students have typically approached the
pandemic in ways that suggest they are resilient, aspirational and
very sensible."
Find out more about the survey by visiting:
http://www.unite-group.co.uk/insight/experiences-during-covid-19-pandemic-student-survey-november-2020
Ends
Data tables mentioned in release
Thinking about your second term coming up in January 2021, how
likely or unlikely are you to continue your course? (Asked of all
respondents)
Very likely 79 %
Somewhat likely 14 %
=====
Neither likely nor unlikely 4 %
=====
Somewhat unlikely 1 %
=====
Very unlikely 1 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 1 %
=====
NET: Likely 93 %
=====
NET: Unlikely 2 %
=====
Thinking about your second term coming up in January 2021, how
likely or unlikely are you to stay in your current accommodation?
(Asked of all respondents)
Very likely 70 %
Somewhat likely 15 %
=====
Neither likely nor unlikely 5 %
=====
Somewhat unlikely 3 %
=====
Very unlikely 4 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 4 %
=====
NET: Likely 85 %
=====
NET: Unlikely 7 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about being at university during the COVID-19
pandemic?
This is not how I expected my first year at university to be but
I value my time here
(Asked of all first year undergraduate and first year
postgraduates)
Strongly agree 27 %
Agree 54 %
-----
Neither agree nor disagree 11 %
-----
Disagree 5 %
-----
Strongly disagree 2 %
-----
I don't know/not sure 0 %
-----
NET: Agree 81 %
-----
NET: Disagree 7 %
-----
Are you happy with your decision not to defer in light of the
current COVID-19 pandemic?
(Asked of all those who made a decision not to defer. Those who
said 'the choice to defer never crossed my mind weren't
included)
Yes, very happy 33 %
Yes, quite happy 48 %
=====
No not very happy 10 %
=====
No not at all happy 1 %
=====
I'm not sure 9 %
=====
NET: Happy 81 %
=====
NET: Not happy 11 %
=====
Are you happy with your decision to be in student accommodation
instead of being at home in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic?
As a reminder by 'student accommodation' we mean the accommodation
you are living in while studying for your degree that is not your
permanent home.
(Asked of all those living in student accommodation)
Yes, very happy 34 %
Yes, quite happy 49 %
=====
No not very happy 10 %
=====
No not at all happy 3 %
=====
I'm not sure 4 %
=====
NET: Happy 82 %
=====
NET: Not happy 13 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I have transitioned well to starting/ continuing my life at
university
(Asked of all respondents)
Strongly agree 17 %
Agree 55 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 15 %
=====
Disagree 10 %
=====
Strongly disagree 3 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 1 %
=====
NET: Agree 72 %
=====
NET: Disagree 12 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I would like more support from my university while transitioning
to student life
(Asked of all respondents)
Strongly agree 17 %
Agree 37 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 28 %
=====
Disagree 14 %
=====
Strongly disagree 1 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 2 %
=====
NET: Agree 54 %
=====
NET: Disagree 15 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I think my university has done a good job of supporting me since
starting/returning to university
(Asked of all respondents)
Strongly agree 13 %
Agree 50 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 22 %
=====
Disagree 13 %
=====
Strongly disagree 3 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 1 %
=====
NET: Agree 63 %
=====
NET: Disagree 15 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I think living in student accommodation and being at university
is better than the alternative
(Asked of those living in student accommodation)
Strongly agree 29 %
Agree 47 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 19 %
=====
Disagree 4 %
=====
Strongly disagree 1 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 1 %
=====
NET: Agree 75 %
=====
NET: Disagree 5 %
=====
Who or what has been most helpful in supporting your transition
to student life during the COVID-19 pandemic?
(Asked of all respondents)
My peers/ friends at university 46 %
My parents 34 %
=====
My university 31 %
=====
My peers/ friends at home 31 %
=====
Social media 9 %
=====
My accommodation provider 6 %
=====
A charity/ external mental health
provider (e.g. NHS) 5 %
=====
News outlets/ source i.e. BBC 2 %
=====
Other 3 %
=====
N/A I haven't had any support for
this 9 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I am meeting new people/ making new friends
(Asked of all respondents)
Strongly agree 18 %
Agree 35 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 18 %
=====
Disagree 19 %
=====
Strongly disagree 10 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 1 %
=====
NET: Agree 52 %
=====
NET: Disagree 29 %
=====
Why did you choose to live in student accommodation this year
rather than study at home? By 'student accommodation' we mean the
accommodation you are living in while studying for your degree that
is not your permanent home.
(Asked of those living in student accommodation)
I was looking forward to immersing
myself in University life 41 %
I wanted to live with people my
age away from home 34 %
=====
The course I wanted was only available
at a university that is too far
away from my family home to be
able to commute from 34 %
=====
I didn't want to stay at home with
my parents 27 %
=====
I wanted to live in a new city 23 %
=====
I didn't see any alternative 15 %
=====
Other (please specify) 7 %
=====
Why did you decide to start/ return to university this year
rather than defer?
(Asked of all respondents)
I was looking forward to starting
university and my studies 32 %
N/A The option to defer never crossed
my mind 24 %
=====
I think now is the right time to
invest in my education 24 %
=====
I didn't see any alternative 20 %
=====
I was concerned about finding a
job during the pandemic 14 %
=====
I didn't think I'd be able to travel/
go on a gap year 13 %
=====
I was concerned about not being
able to go if I deferred 11 %
=====
I didn't want to stay at home with
my parents 11 %
=====
I wanted to live with people my
age away from home 9 %
=====
I have already deferred and didn't
want to defer again 6 %
=====
I wanted to live in a new city 6 %
=====
Other (please specify) 5 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I like the greater independence that comes from living away from
home
(Asked of those living in student accommodation)
Strongly agree 44 %
Agree 48 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 6 %
=====
Disagree 2 %
=====
Strongly disagree 0 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 0 %
=====
NET: Agree 92 %
=====
NET: Disagree 2 %
=====
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following
statement about starting or returning to university this academic
year?
I like living with and being surrounded by people my own age
(Asked of all respondents)
Strongly agree 25 %
Agree 40 %
=====
Neither agree nor disagree 23 %
=====
Disagree 4 %
=====
Strongly disagree 1 %
=====
I don't know/not sure 8 %
=====
NET: Agree 64 %
=====
NET: Disagree 5 %
=====
Notes to editors
For more information or further comment, please contact:
Christopher Allen/ Allison Parkes-Norris, Unite Students,
Christopher.Allen@unitestudents.com , Allison.Parkes-Norris@unitestudents.com
07754 749 301/ 07715 798 151
Victoria Heslop / Courtney Sanford, Powerscourt,
unite@powerscourt-group.com , 0207 250 1446
Methodology
The findings in this report are based on quantitative research
carried out for Unite Students by Opinium from 30(th) October to
6(th) November 2020, with a sample of 1,000 UK students. The
student sample was chosen to have robust numbers in each of the key
subgroups being analysed. There is therefore confidence that the
insights we pull from these groups are reflective of the wider
population of these groups.
The breakdown of the sample is as follows:
Undergraduates:
-- First years: 488 respondents
-- Second year: 144
-- Third year: 153
-- Fourth year: 55
Total 840
Postgraduates:
-- 160
The survey was conducted from 30th October - 6(th) November
2020
About Unite Students
Unite Students is the UK's largest owner, manager and developer
of purpose-built student accommodation, serving the country's
world-leading Higher Education sector.
Following the GBP1.4bn acquisition of Liberty Living in November
2019, we now provide homes to 75,000 students across 177 properties
in 27 leading University towns and cities. We currently partner
with 45 Universities across the UK.
Our people are driven by a common purpose: to provide a 'Home
for Success' for the students who live with us. Unite's
accommodation is safe and secure, high quality and affordable.
Students live predominantly in ensuite study bedrooms, with rents
covering all bills, insurance, 24-hour security and high-speed
Wi-Fi. We also hold a five-star British Safety Council audit
rating.
Founded in 1991 in Bristol, Unite Group is an award-winning Real
Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange
and a member of the FTSE 250 Index. Unite is invested in and
operates two specialist funds and joint ventures with institutional
investment partners: the GBP3 billion Unite UK Student
Accommodation Fund (USAF) and the GBP1 billion London Student
Accommodation Vehicle (LSAV).
About Opinium
Opinium helps its clients harness the power of insight to build,
grow, promote and make strategic business decisions.
It is an award-winning strategic insight agency built on the
belief that in a world of uncertainty and complexity, success
depends on the ability to stay on the pulse of what people think,
feel and do.
Creative and inquisitive, Opinium is passionate about empowering
our clients to make the decisions that matter.
[1] 'Student accommodation' refers to accommodation you are
living in while studying for your degree that is not your permanent
home
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END
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