Young Britons Show Social Stigma For Not Going To Uni Is Decreasing

New research has revealed what young Britons went through when telling their family and friends that they weren’t planning to attend university, highlighting the different reactions from five years ago as opposed to this year.

According to the results of a new study, two thirds of young Britons who admit that they do not want to go to university are now supported in their decision, as opposed to the number who were met with shock and disappointment five years ago.

The team behind www.notgoingtouni.co.uk conducted the research as part of an ongoing study into British attitudes towards going to university. 2,199 Britons aged 18 and over, 50% who stated they chose not to attend university five years ago and 50% who chose not to attend university this coming September, were quizzed about their choices and the reactions that they had received when telling their loved ones.

Initially all respondents were asked ‘How did you feel when you told your family and friends that you didn’t want to attend university?’ to which those who went through this five years ago admitted that they were largely ‘nervous’ (38%) and ‘scared’ (35%), whilst those who went through this recently admitted they were ‘excited’ (40%) and ‘confident’ (34%).

All respondents who chose not to go to university five years ago were asked about the reactions that they had received at the time, after informing their family and friends of their decision. When provided with a list of possible responses and told to select all that applied, the top five responses were as follows:

• They were shocked and disappointed – 61%
• They were worried about my future – 52%
• They were surprised about my decision – 34%
• They were glad I was planning to stay close to home – 12%
• They were supportive of my decision and my choices – 10%

Similarly, all respondents who chose not to apply for and attend university this coming September were also asked about the reactions that they’d received when informing their family and friends of their decision. When provided with a list of possible responses and told to select all that applied, the top five responses were as follows:

• They were supportive of my decision and my choices – 65%
• They had expected my decision – 57%
• They ensured I had all the information I needed for alternative options – 55%
• They were glad I was planning to stay close to home – 38%
• They were shocked and disappointed – 16%

According to the poll, almost two thirds of those not planning to attend university this year, 63%, are planning to go into either an apprenticeship or vocational training, whilst 85% of those who decided not to go five years ago stated they went straight into the world of work.

A comprehensive 50-page Results Day Guide, which is free to download, use and reproduce, has been created by notgoingtouni.co.uk and is available via http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/advice/results-day-guide-2016-574

Sharon Walpole, CEO of notgoingtouni.co.uk, commented:

“It’s fantastic to see that the social stigma around going to university isn’t what it used to be. Many still love the thought of going to university, and will go on to do so, but for many it’s not the right option and they shouldn’t feel ashamed or shunned because they’re not conforming to what others think they should be doing. With tuition fees having increased so drastically over recent years, young Britons are really starting to weigh up their options and are finally being given all of the information available to them to make the best choice for them.”