New research reveals undergraduates and graduates overwhelmingly believe in the importance of getting a degree, but a high proportion say – with the benefit of hindsight – they would have made a different decision about what or where to study.
The report, The benefits of hindsight: reconsidering higher education choices by Professor Nicola Dandridge, Dr Yi-Hsuan Irene Huang, Valentina Perinetti Casoni and Professor Richard Watermeyer, is published by the University of Bristol, HEPI and Advance HE. It is being launched today at an event in London. It recommends advice and guidance about careers and post-school and college options should be improved to facilitate more considered choices.
It also says undergraduates who have second thoughts during their studies should know more about the options to change direction.
Nick Hillman, Director of HEPI, said:
Higher education changes lives. But to maximise the benefits, we need to ensure the best possible fit between each individual student and the courses they enrol on. This important new research gets under the skin of why so many people might make a different decision if going back in time and filling in their UCAS forms afresh.
Total satisfaction is unattainable, not least because people change throughout their lives, including in terms of their aspirations. Moreover, each educational stage should open up minds and broaden people’s horizons in exciting new ways.
We hope the results will help schools, colleges, universities, parents and policymakers prepare people for making the huge and exciting jump into higher education, enabling the best possible fit between students and places.
Co-lead author Nicola Dandridge, Professor of Practice in Higher Education Policy at the University of Bristol and former Chief Executive of the Office for Students, said:
It’s clear from the findings that although both undergraduates and graduates recognise the value of higher education, deciding what and where to study is an incredibly difficult decision. This is not about the quality of university courses, but about the choices made by young people at school or college which do not always stand the test of time when they look back at their decisions years later.
The stakes are very high for students – in terms of their time, the cost, and the generally one-off nature of a degree. The results of our research emphasise that many students need more and earlier support in making their choices, which may include taking more time out and possibly exposure to the world of work before they make their decision.
Despite many undergraduates and graduates telling us that in hindsight they wished they had made a different decision, many were unaware of the possibility of changing course or institution, and also said that it would have been too disruptive or difficult to make a change.
Given the lasting consequences of these choices, and the considerable financial implications, students should be aware of the options for transfer that might be available for them so they can make an informed decision about whether or not a change of direction is possible or desirable. The system should accommodate and support that greater flexibility.
The research involved two surveys, one of more than 2,000 undergraduates and the other of more than 2,000 graduates from across the UK.
Overall, only 2% to 3% of respondents thought higher education was not the right path for them. But positive feelings about what and where they chose to study were less prevalent among those who graduated a few years ago than among current undergraduates.
A majority (65%) of undergraduate respondents were happy with their choice of what and where to study. However, around a third (35%) said they would do things differently on reflection:
- 10% said they would have studied the same course at a different university
- 6% said they would have studied a different course at the same institution
- 6% said they would have studied a different course at a different institution
The remainder said they would have done an apprenticeship, deferred for a year, got a job without going to higher education or something else.
Among graduate respondents, who were aged between 25 and 30, although nearly half (48%) were happy with their decisions, the remainder (52%) said with hindsight they would have done things differently. Breaking this down:
- 15% said they would have done a different course at the same institution
- 12% said they would have done a different course at a different institution
- 11% said they would have gone to a different institution to do the same course
- 8% said they would have done an apprenticeship
The remainder said they would have got a job and not gone to university, deferred for a year or something else.
The most common reason undergraduates gave for wanting to do things differently was that they would have been happier or fitted in better.
The most common reason for graduates was they felt it would have led to more career options.
Four-in-10 (40%) of undergraduates who would have done things differently said they should have done more research and a similar proportion of graduates doubting their decisions expressed the need for different or better careers’ advice.
Co-lead author Richard Watermeyer, Professor of Education at the University of Bristol, said:
The results provide important insights into students’ feelings about their decisions whilst still at university and how these sentiments can change having embarked on their careers.
Given more than half of graduates said they would have done things differently on reflection, it highlights the importance of schools and colleges providing more information and advice to help ensure fully informed and considered choices can be made. This should include raising awareness of future job opportunities associated with courses, and advocating a vocational mindset. It could involve taking a year out to explore and learn more about fields of interest, as well as the most suitable places to study.
Around six-in-10 undergraduates and graduates (59% and 63% respectively) who doubted their decisions would have taken the option to change course or institution. But many respondents said they were unaware this was possible and significant numbers – almost half of undergraduates and nearly a third of graduates – believed it would be too difficult and disruptive to switch.
In light of these findings, the report makes various policy recommendations, such as ensuring schools, colleges and other advisors encourage young people to carry out more research into different course and university options at an earlier stage, in line with UCAS recommendations and best practice career guidance. This should include explicit consideration of deferring decisions to allow for more mature and considered choices and work experience. The perspectives of undergraduates and graduates should also be taken into account in the guidance given to young people at school and college, and there should be more join up between school, college and university careers advice.
Once at university, more information and guidance should be provided to students about options available to transfer course or university, whether or not they decide that is the right option for them. For students who successfully complete a year before switching, their studies should be accredited with a formal qualification.
Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, who will be speaking at the launch event, said:
Going to university remains a pivotal step for many young people in progressing to their chosen career, so it is heartening to see that students and graduates still very much recognise the value of getting a degree.
However, university isn’t the only option available, so taking time to fully consider all options is crucial and young people should be supported as much as possible in this process. It is also important that help is available to enable them to change tack if an original decision doesn’t stand the test of time, and to ensure that they are well-placed to fulfil their potential in an increasingly competitive global job market.
Jonathan Neves, Advance HE Head of Business Intelligence and Surveys and co-author of the annual Student Academic Experience Survey (SAES), which was the catalyst for the new report, said:
I’m delighted to see this important research further building on one of the key questions in SAES. While significant proportions are happy with their choice, these new insights provide compelling evidence that enhancing information, guidance and support for students both before and during their university journey could significantly improve outcomes.
What’s particularly valuable is seeing how perspectives evolve from undergraduate study into early careers, reinforcing the need for a more holistic approach to higher education decision-making for the benefit of all.
Note to editors
In addition to HEPI and Advance HE, PolicyBristol also supported the report from the Research England Quality-related (QR) Policy Support Fund 2024/25.
Not yet read the full Report but hope it gives some comparative context if such data is available – eg what about the USA and Australia, different in US with more flexible degree paths (Major, Minor), gives cause to ask whether the UK is an outlier with its rigid single-honours pathway offering limited scope to change direction?
I am sure the numbers given in answer to the various questions are accurate but I wonder how much weight should be given to the report overall and whether the solutions proposed would improve the situation.
“The most common reason undergraduates gave for wanting to do things differently was that they would have been happier or fitted in better.”
This seems to me a strange, “flakey” and vague response on which to make any changes at all, as improving each individual’s “Happiness” looks like an impossible task.
“The most common reason for graduates was they felt it would have led to more career options.” also seems a bit vague.