Tracking our Higher Education applicants over five years

The Department for Employment and Learning has published Northern Ireland findings from the first stage of the UK-wide Futuretrack survey.

Futuretrack is a longitudinal study that will follow the progress of students, who applied through UCAS for full-time courses at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 2006, over a 5 year period. The first stage of the survey was carried out before students entered Higher Education (HE) and focused on their characteristics, their decisions and their attitudes towards HE.

The research shows that the majority of applicants from NI who accepted a place at a UK HEI remained in NI for study. Those who left NI were more likely to study in Scotland, with Merseyside, the North West and North East of England also popular choices.

Across the UK survey it was revealed that students from NI have a clearer idea of the type of occupation they want to go into and the qualifications they require to do so, compared to the UK as a whole.

The research also examined students’ access to careers guidance and information and anticipation of debt. It found that those NI students who had accepted a place outside NI were more likely than those remaining in NI to expect higher debt levels.

This research will contribute to a growing evidence base as the Department takes forward the ongoing review of variable fees and student finance arrangements and the research will also be an important contributor to the development of the HE Strategy.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU), an organisation which assists the work of HE Careers Services in the UK, funds the research with representation from Government across the UK countries. Futuretrack is being conducted by a research team at the Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick directed by Professor Kate Purcell and with substantial support from Professor Peter Elias.
2. The first stage Northern Ireland report is available to download from the Department’s website at the following link: http://www.delni.gov.uk/futuretracksurvey

3. The first stage UK wide report is available to download from the following link: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ier/research/glmf/futuretrack/

4. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872 or out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440.