A third of parents (33%) with children aged 13-21 say they have little or no understanding of the new university tuition fees system in England and Wales, and 55% say they have not received enough information on university funding, according to a poll released today to mark the start of Universities Week.
The YouGov survey of 630 parents with children aged between 13 and 21, conducted on behalf of Universities UK, also showed that over half of parents (55%) felt they had not received enough information on the new fees system.
Of those parents of 13-21 year olds who plan to go to university, a third (33%) will now be more likely to get involved with their child’s university choice in response to media and political debate around the increase in fees – and parents of 13-21 year olds say showing that they provide good value for money become a top priority for universities trying to attract new students. More than half (53%) of this group think universities should explain how they will spend the new fee income; 56% think universities should be clear on how a degree can improve their child’s career prospects after they’ve finished studying; and 40% say universities should show heightened student experience such as enhanced careers advice.
Steve Smith, President of Universities UK, said: “The need for clear and accessible communication on the new fees system is absolutely paramount – but so is the space and ability to show the wide ranging benefits of higher education. Some parents are rightly worried that they don’t feel they have enough information to make informed choices, which is why we’re using Universities Week to address these concerns, highlight the incredibly important role that universities play in our society, and the benefits that a university education can offer.”
The findings support those of a survey of 45 university Vice-Chancellors carried out by Universities UK ahead of Universities Week. Almost all (95.5%) of surveyed Vice Chancellors said they felt that there was a significant misunderstanding on fees, while 68% per cent stated that politics had got in the way of communicating the benefits of higher education to prospective students and their parents. In addition, some 42% of university bosses believe they will have to work much harder to communicate the benefits of higher education over other educational or work routes available to young people.
The results come as the second annual Universities Week kicks off around the country, aiming to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. Universities Week looks at the many different ways in which universities affect all of our lives — from supporting the economy, to working within local communities, to looking at how their research programmes could change our futures. Hundreds of events will be taking place around the country open to members of the public, as well as high-profile media coverage and activity across social media networks.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK have worked with a university or higher education institution (HEI) in the past year, according to research published today by the Institute of Directors and Universities UK. The research, part of Universities Week 2011, reveals wide ranging engagement driving innovation and employment as well as boosting local economies.
Key to those engagements are the areas of professional development, research and working with current and recent students. Research was obviously a key area for some SMEs with 12% participating in collaborative research; 9% contracting a HEI to conduct research; and 7% using specialist equipment and facilities.
In addition, SMEs clearly seemed to be benefitting from the 3.7million days of Continuing Professional Development courses delivered by universities annually, with 37% attending lectures, conferences and public events; 12% working with universities to personally undertake professional development; and 7% using them to provide bespoke professional development for their employees.
Close working with universities on the employment pool also emerged as a trend with 27% of those surveyed employing recent graduates or post-graduates; 18% offering work experience opportunities or sandwich placements; 14% offering formal internships for undergraduates, graduates or post-graduates; and 10% even working on live business projects as part of a course.
Miles Templeman, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “This research uncovers an ever-growing network of universities and small businesses delivering genuine innovation on the frontline of British business. We hear all the time of exceptional ways that smaller companies are working closely with universities to mutual benefit. It’s good for our members, good for universities and good for the economy. We want to see these relationships grow even stronger.”
The research also shows positive experiences for businesses working with universities, with 58% viewing the impact of their links as positive or very positive; 37% finding the impact significant or very significant in terms of delivering their business objectives; and over 30% viewing their businesses’ current links with universities as strong or very strong.
Almost half (48%) felt that universities have changed their culture over the past 10 years to be more commercial and business-facing. Yet despite the positive results in many areas, 55% of those working with HEIs said that universities should make it easier for businesses to find out who to speak to in universities or other higher education institutions, and 47% that they should promote their services more effectively to businesses.
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK said: “With nearly half of businesses reporting that universities are becoming more business savvy, it is clear that both parties can see the wealth of opportunities that are available and are adapting to reflect that.
“We know that universities are often the lifeblood of their local economy and are UK-wide worth over £59 billion annually. But as higher education enters a new era, it is crucial that universities work even harder to cement their position as vital parts of their local, as well as national economy. Working with SMEs will be key to this.”
Although the majority of those SMEs who engaged with HEIs only engaged with one (33%), 30% engaged with three or more, with 9% engaging with five or more institutions. Some 36% of respondents also had links with universities across the UK, as opposed to just in their local area or region.
Social impact of universities worth over £1.31 billion, says new report
Benefits are felt by everyone, not just those who go to university
UK Universities add at least £1.31 billion a year in value to UK society in the form of health and well being, citizenship and political engagement, according to new research by leading independent think-tank nef (the new economics foundation), published in association with Universities UK.
Degrees of Value: How universities benefit society attempts for the first time to put a monetary value on some of the ways that universities contribute to society at a local and a national level, using Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology. These values are above and beyond the economic contribution that universities make.
The research looked at just some of the social contributions of universities in Britain:
• A healthier, more co-operative and more democratic nation: Research has shown that universities improve political engagement, foster interpersonal trust and improve health, benefitting the whole population, not just those who went to university. The report estimates the value of these outcomes alone is £1.31 billion.*
• Higher social mobility: Manchester Metropolitan University has facilitated above average social mobility in the local area, through catering to local course demands, outreach programmes and offering opportunities for part time students. The social value of this outcome is around £147 million a year.**
• Volunteering and culture: The University of Warwick is bringing £28.6 million of value in cultural enrichment a year to the local community through its Arts Centre*** and just through one strand of its student volunteering programme, working with primary schools to improve reading and allowing local children to meet international students from a variety of cultures.+
The report recommends that the Government starts to take account of these and other social contributions made by higher education and values them accordingly. It also recommends that universities across the country start to become more vocal about their community and outreach work, such as the projects at MMU and Warwick, and continue the work they are doing in improving access for students from poorer backgrounds.
“Everyone knows that higher education is essential for a thriving economy. But universities deliver much more than just economic benefit to the UK. They’ve been helping to build a big society – long before the current concept had ever been conceived” said Dr Faiza Shaheen, the author of the report and economist at nef. “It’s really important that as the Government starts to reform university funding and student fees that they don’t inadvertently undermine these social contributions. Across a whole range of issues that David Cameron and Nick Clegg allegedly hold dear – from social mobility and community cohesion to volunteering and democratic engagement - universities are already making a huge difference.”
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “The value of higher education is generally assessed solely in terms of how much money universities generate for the individual, for business and for the wider economy. Critical though these considerations are, they tend to ignore the huge public good that universities generate, both locally and nationally. This study addresses the often overlooked but fundamentally important ways in which higher education makes for a better society.”
Sean O’Shea, Chief Executive, University Partnerships Programme, said: “This research highlights the reasons why UPP is proud to work in this sector. For us, universities represent a critical element of the wider economy, equipping the future workforce with the skills that drive innovation and growth. Just as important, however, is the impact that Higher Education has on the experiences and life chances of individuals, as well as civil society more widely.”
The report forms part of the second annual Universities Week, which takes place from 13-19 June 2011, and aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. Universities Week looks at the many different ways in which universities affect all of our lives — from supporting the economy, to working within local communities, to looking at how their research programmes could change our futures.
Making blood, growing organs and living under the sea: the university research that will change the way we live
New report uncovers the top 100 pieces of research that will shape our future
The wealth of life-changing research currently taking place in universities across the UK is revealed today (Thursday 16 June) in a new report published to mark Universities Week.
Big Ideas for the Future looks at 100 ground breaking pieces of research from all fields, including science, social sciences, engineering, and the arts and the humanities, have been included in the report jointly published by Universities UK and Research Councils UK (RCUK). The report is narrated and backed by high-profile celebrity academics such as Professor Lord Robert Winston, Dr Alice Roberts and Professor Iain Stewart.
Highlights of the report include:
- Researchers at University College London are researching ways of growing human organs for transplants.
- Researchers at Imperial College London are developing a ‘blood factory’ to produce a continuous flow of blood for transfusions.
- A new ‘excergaming’ system has been developed at Teesside University, where middle-aged men compete against a virtual boxing opponent in order to lose weight and improve fitness.
- The University of Plymouth is researching a new type of robot which will be capable of becoming ‘friends' with humans.
Professor Rick Rylance, Chair Elect of RCUK added:
“Research has an impact on all our lives. Whether it is a breakthrough in experimental science, or an invention that makes new things possible, or a project that leads us to understand better the strengths and weaknesses of our society, research is the key to the UK’s growth, prosperity and wellbeing. Big Ideas for the Future showcases just some of the excellent research being carried out in UK universities that achieves these aims. It is vital we continue to support the talented individuals whose work makes a real difference.”
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
“The research that has taken place at UK universities has helped to change the world and the way we live, whether that’s discovering DNA, inventing the world’s first computer or finding cures for life-threatening illnesses. It is great to see this tradition of world-leading innovation continue and get an insight into the many inspiring and potentially-life changing projects currently being developed by our universities. This report will hopefully excite and engage members of the public about what is going on in university research facilities across the country.”