Over half of 17- to 19-year-olds are not intending to start a traditional degree course in the autumn, have considered an apprenticeship, according to this UCAS report.
According to the report, more than three quarters (78 per cent) of students who do not plan to immediately start a three-year full-time undergraduate degree, are interested in starting an apprenticeship, and a further 22 per cent said that was their main choice.
According to Ucas, the main features of apprenticeships are attractive to young people, including the opportunity to “earn money” (50 per cent), to continue learning but in “a different way” (43 per cent), and to do something “new and different” (42 per cent).
Of all survey respondents, only 11 per cent said they had received enough careers information, advice, and guidance and did not require any more. Almost one in 10 said they did not receive any at all.
Key Findings:
- There is strong demand for apprenticeships from students not going to university or college this autumn, with almost 8 out of 10 (78%) either interested in, or committed to, starting an apprenticeship this year.
- The three most popular factors students consider when choosing their future pathway are: to earn money (50%); to continue learning but in a different way (43%); and to do something new and different (42%).
- Only 11% say they received enough information about their options and did not require any more and 9% state they did not receive any careers information at all.
- During the pandemic, students were typically unable to undertake physical visits or attend interviews in person, but 88% of respondents are ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ committed to their choice.
- Apprenticeships are a popular option for both these groups: More than three quarters (78%) of 17- to 19-year-olds who are getting their results on 10 August but do not have plans to go to university or college this autumn are interested in, or committed to, starting an apprenticeship.
- More than a fifth (22%) say their main plan is an apprenticeship (16% higher or degree level, 6% advanced level) and a further 56% are considering an apprenticeship.
- Of those without a live UCAS application, 25% say their main plan is an apprenticeship (17% higher or degree level, 8% advanced level).
- Of those with a live UCAS application but not holding an accepted offer, 17% say their main plan is an apprenticeship (14% higher or degree level, 3% advanced level).
- Those who have a live UCAS application but are not holding an accepted offer are most likely looking to do their degree differently or to start later. The most popular main plans for this group are: a gap year (27%); part-time undergraduate study (20%); and a higher or degree level apprenticeship (14%).
- Those without a live UCAS application are largely not actively seeking undergraduate study. The most popular main plans for this group are: a gap year (22%); additional Level 3 study (20%); a higher or degree level apprenticeship (17%); and employment (15%).
- The students who do not plan to go to university or college this autumn say they have a wide range of options available to them:
- 73% feel they have ‘some’ (40%) or ‘lots’ (33%) of options for next year.
- 88% feel they are ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ committed to their plans for the next year. The most commitment is expressed towards higher or degree level apprenticeships (92% compared to 88% average commitment).
- Of those who feel they had ‘not many’ options (18%), the most popular main plans are: a gap year (31%); employment (18%); and an advanced Level 3 apprenticeship (8%).
For those whose most important motivation is to earn money, 24% say their main plan is to take a gap year, 19% to go into employment, 16% to take a higher or degree level apprenticeship, and 7% to take an advanced Level 3 apprenticeship.
For people looking to learn in a different way, 22% say their main plan is a higher or degree level
apprenticeship, 17% to undertake part-time undergraduate study, and 16% to take a gap year. - Of those who want to avoid debt, 26% say their main plan is to start a higher or degree level apprenticeship,
18% to take a gap year, 17% to go into employment, and 7% to start an advanced Level 3 apprenticeship.