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Needs and Assessments Of Current and Prospective American Students In UK Undergraduate Programs. METHODOLOGY. Methodology. Research conducted among a total of 968 current and prospective US undergraduate and professional students Current Students
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Needs and AssessmentsOf Current and Prospective American StudentsIn UK Undergraduate Programs
Methodology Research conducted among a total of 968 current and prospective US undergraduate and professional students Current Students • Focus groups in Glasgow, Manchester and London in early November 2006 • Total of 50 undergraduate and professional degree students attending 21 different universities in the UK • 50-question online survey with 283 students from 35 universities Prospective Students • Pop-in survey of 500 US students visiting the British Council USA website • 40-question online survey with 135 US students registered on the British Council USA website indicating interest in full undergraduate enrollment in the UK
Academic Profile: Current Undergraduates • The majority of American students entering UK undergraduate programs are following a traditional American academic path. • 50% entered UK universities right after high school – another 8% after a gap-year or longer break. • One-third report previous college experience—20% transferred from an American college, 3% from a university in another country and 7% were resuming their undergraduate coursework after a break.
Academic Profile: Current Undergraduates • 8-in-10 American students enrolled in UK undergraduate programs are working toward their first undergraduate degrees. • The balance are enrolled in professional degree programs, with nearly all having prior undergraduate degrees.
Academic Profile: Prospective Undergraduates • 61% of prospective students expect that, if they do enroll, it would be directly or soon after high school. • But four-in-10 would enroll with prior college experience – • 23% will leave/transfer from a US university • 17% already in UK study abroad program and will apply to stay full time
Academic Profile: Current and Prospective • One-third of currently enrolled students attended private schools in the US. • And the majority are among the top students in American high schools: • 52%-55% report they were “A” level students • 63%-67% report they took Advanced Placement and Honors coursework
Academic Profile: Current and Prospective • Professional degree students are most often enrolled in medicine and health science programs. • Currently enrolled undergraduate students are enrolled in a wide range of programs but most frequently political science, history and social sciences. • The academic interests of prospective students are even more diverse.
Demographic Profile: Current and Prospective • Women predominate among those considering and currently attending UK undergraduate and professional degree programs. • The undergraduate gender distribution at US colleges is 55% women vs. 45% men. • 75% of American students in undergraduate programs are 18-21 years of age compared to 64% of undergraduates at American universities are in that age group. • 87% of professional degree students are age 22 or older.
Demographic Profile: Current and Prospective • Current and prospective US students come from all regions of the US, but…. • Among the currently enrolled students, more come from states in the Northeast. • In proportion to US population, students are not being drawn from the Midwest and South. • Nearly one-in-10 American students currently enrolled in UK undergraduate programs did not reside in the US.
Factors Prompting Interest in UK Universities • More than eight-in-10 American students report that it was “mostly” their idea to pursue undergraduate and professional degree programs at UK colleges and universities. • High School guidance counselors are playing a very limited role: • 47% of prospective students say high school counselor reacted to their consideration of a UK university with encouragement, but only 4% say it was first suggested by their academic advisors.
Factors Prompting Interest in UK Universities • Not surprisingly, professional degree students say the programs at UK universities were their most important consideration when deciding whether to attend a UK college or university. • Yet for currently enrolled undergraduates and prospective students, the desire to live in the UK is important as well, in addition to specific programs and universities.
Prior Experience in the UK • Prior experience traveling to or living in the UK is a strong distinguishing characteristic of American students pursuing academic study at UK universities and colleges. • 74% of currently enrolled students had visited the UK on a prior occasion, and at least two-in-10 had experienced the UK through a study abroad or high school educational program. • 15% of currently enrolled students also called the UK home prior to attending university.
Information Sources • Internet searches are the key way American students identify and learn about undergraduate and professional degree programs. The same pattern was also found among American students pursuing graduate degrees in the UK. • Students are using Google and other search programs to discover both universities and programs. • They search “England” or “Scotland” + “colleges” or include additional descriptors that refine the search by program. • 51% of undergraduates and 49% of prospective students indicate the UCAS website has guided them to UK universities. • In fact, the UCAS application process was noted in focus groups as being key to decisions to apply to multiple UK universities. • 25% of undergraduates recalled using the British Council USA website to acquire information about academic study in the UK…..and nearly as many, 21%, recalled using Study in the UK. • Prospective students are even more proactive in their use of Internet sources to identify undergraduate academic opportunities in the UK suggesting that university websites will play an increasingly important role in students’ decisions about UK academic programs.
Information Sources • Also not to be underestimated is the influence of word-of-mouth among former students, family and friends.
Applying to UK Universities • Overall, professional degree and prospective students appear to be intent on academic study in the UK – considering universities and colleges there more often than in the US. • Within the UK, universities in England are most often considered, though a third consider Scotland and up to a fifth Wales. • Outside of the UK, students are most likely to be considering undergraduate programs in the US and Ireland.
Applying to UK Universities • Strong majorities of current undergraduates and professional degree students give positive ratings to the application process to UK universities. • UCAS system of having to complete only one application may be a contributing factor – as 45% say it influenced their decisions to apply to multiple UK universities and colleges. • In focus groups, some undergraduates said they “loved” the UCAS process and noted that the UCAS guide on the British Council website was helpful when completing applications.
Sources of Educational Funding • Overall, 83% of current undergraduates are relying on family assistance to finance their studies in the UK and 48% are supported by US government-backed student loans. • But among prospective students, fewer will turn to families (64%) and more will seek assistance from student loans (78%). • There’s also a strong expectation among prospective students that grants or scholarships will be a essential way to finance their educations (74% versus 29% of current undergraduates).
Perceived Benefits of UK Undergraduate Degree • American students attending or considering undergraduate studies in the UK strongly believe the experience will provide them with a better perspective about life outside the US. • Focus group participants also said they had a strong desire to try a different path from their peers. • They also assume that UK academic programs are internationally-respected and a degree from a UK higher education institution will enhance future employments opportunities.
Comparisons to US Higher Education • When comparing UK and US undergraduate programs, current undergraduates and prospective students are apt to believe the tuition fees of UK institutions are more affordable. • Professional degree students do not share this viewpoint toward tuition expenses, though they are more inclined to see a better lifestyle balance at UK universities. • All student groups believe the cost of living is better at American universities.
Challenges Faced By American Students • Prospective students are clearly concerned about the challenge of financing an undergraduate degree in the UK. • 79% expect living expenses to be a challenge • 53% note tuition costs and not being able to work may be a problem • 48% anticipate they may encounter issues with student loans
Challenges Faced by American Students • The concerns of prospective students are not unrealistic when the experiences of current students in the UK are considered. • Living expenses dominate as a currently experienced problem followed by tuition costs, bank account issues, not being able to work or earn money and the processing of checks from American banks. • Professional degree students are especially more likely to cite financial factors as major challenges they have faced.
Challenges Faced by American Students • Processing of student loans has been a challenge for one-third of undergraduates and 52% of professional degree students. • In focus groups students describe very different policies at their schools about how American student loans are handled – from cash advances to students while the University processes the student loan check, to no provision or consideration of the students’ challenges based on set schedules of loan delivery or bank clearance issues. • 54% of professional degree students report to have already borrowed more than $30,000 in student loans. • Among undergraduates, one-fifth have already borrowed more than $30,000.
Meeting Expectations • More than three-fourths of US undergraduate and professional degree students report they will “definitely” complete their academic programs at UK universities and colleges. • Still one-in-three undergraduates indicate their expectations of UK universities have not been fully met….citing disappointment with coursework and lack of faculty interaction as key factors contributing to their dissatisfaction. • Students whose expectations have been satisfied attribute it to faculty quality, challenging and interesting coursework.
Assessment of UK Academic Experience • The majority of American students believe they perform better in a structured academic environment, while a third prefer less structured environments. • When asked about the structure of their UK programs – one-third believe it should be more structured, while the majority believe it’s “just right.” • Only 8% believe their current programs should be “less structured.”
Assessments of UK Academic Experience • About two-thirds of students express confidence that their UK degrees will be accepted by future employers and graduate schools, though one-in-10 are “very concerned” it may present an issue for them. • Among prospective students, fully 40% express concern about the future acceptance in the US of a degree from a UK higher institution. These students will rely heavily on student loans to finance their educations (78%), so career opportunities are an important consideration.
Rating the International Student Office • The overwhelming majority of American students believe the international student offices at their universities are generally informed about student needs and addressing the problems they encounter. • Nevertheless, the results suggest some discontent: • Only one-in-three professional degree students say international student office is “very well-informed” about student needs and challenges and 17% of current undergraduates consider the staff “not informed.”
Recommending UK Universities • The vast majority of American students say they would recommend the UK university in which they are currently enrolled, and fully half would “definitely” recommend their programs/schools.
