TARGETcourses postgraduate study and funding survey charts

TARGETcourses Postgraduate Study and Funding Survey 2014

Complete chart deck

Chris Phillips, Information and Research Director

Emma Newton, Information Analyst

GTI Media

Facts about the survey

• Annual survey conducted by TARGETcourses, launched at Forum of PG admissions tutors at University of Birmingham in February 2014

• Survey live from 21 January to 9 February 2014• Invitation to complete sent to all students on the TARGETcourses database who indicated that they were considering PG study

• Completions: 1,933

Chart deck explained

• This chart deck complements the full Report which you can download from the GTI Media site

• It contains the combined responses of students to the questions in the survey, responses from the 2013 survey and responses cut in the following way:– By subject of undergraduate study– By pre-HE education– By nationality

Biographical questions

35%

65%

Are you....?

Male Female

66%

15%

20%Are you a....?

UK national An EU national (ie Non UK) An International student

Black Other

Bangladeshi

Black Caribbean

Any other ethnic group

Pakistani

Other Asian

Mixed

Indian

Black African

Chinese

White

0%

1%

1%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

66%

What do you consider your ethnic origin to be?

57%

13%

30%

Before going to university for your first degree, where were you educated?

In the state sector In the private/independent sectorAt a school/college outside the UK

41%

59%

Did you/do you work part time during term time to fund your undergraduate degree?

Yes No

Performing Arts

Education

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Maths

Computing/IT

Law

Business/Management

Life Sciences

1%2%2%2%3%3%3%

4%4%4%

8%8%

9%11%

16%21%

Your degree course

1.Survey questionsCombined results

78%

22%

Are you considering postgraduate courses in a similar sub-ject area to your first degree?

Yes No

I am not enjoying my undergraduate course and want to do something else

I don't think I will get a job with my undergraduate degree

There is more money in careers linked to my intended postgraduate course

I don't want a career in areas related to my first degree

12%

23%

24%

42%

Why are you considering postgraduate courses where the subject is different from your first degree?

To stay in the region for another year

Because I’ll struggle to get a job this year

To get a job in academia

Because I need to for my chosen profession

To earn more money in the long run

To get a better job

Because I’m passionate about the subject

8%

21%

27%

42%

44%

62%

68%

What are the 3 main reasons you are considering postgraduate study? Tick 3 answers

59%

30%

11%

When are you thinking of doing a postgraduate course?

Immediately after graduation 2-3 years after graduationMore than 3 years after graduation

Its social life and the social life of the town/city

Its place in the university league table

Its study and library facilities

Its location

The reputation of the university

The reputation of the department/school

7

10

12

16

23

35

7

15

17

14

28

23

11

20

19

16

20

17

14

20

21

19

14

11

21

19

19

20

10

8

41

16

12

16

5

6

What are the most important reasons for choosing a par-ticular university? Rank 1 - 6, with 1 being most important

1 2 3 4 5 6

The reputation of the academic staff

Strong vocational nature of the course

Because there is funding attached

Strong links with industry/accredited course

Because I’m really interested in the subject matter

8

9

12

18

56

29

17

15

24

17

27

21

20

23

10

23

24

19

23

9

13

30

33

12

8

What are the most important reasons for choosing a particular course? Rank 1 - 5, with 1 being most important

1 2 3 4 5

I studied the results of the annual student satisfaction survey

None of the above

I received useful advice and information from the careers service

I received useful advice and information from my own department

I received useful advice and information from postgraduate study websites like targetcourses.co.uk

I received useful advice and information from university websites

12%

15%

31%

36%

40%

56%

Which of the following statements do you agree with?

58%

42%

Did you recieve positive encouragement from your department to stay at your current university for

postgraduate study?

Yes No

Lack of flexibility in course structure or study mode (eg part-time, distance learning)

Concerns about possible negative effect on my employability

Level of debt after completing first degree

If I get a firm offer of a job instead

Lack of funding

Too expensive

13%

15%

21%

38%

57%

64%

What are the 2 major factors that would stop you enrolling on a postgraduate course? Please tick only 2.

Less than £1,000

£1,000 - £3,000

£3,000 - £5,000

£5,000 - £10,000

Over £10,000

18%

26%

28%

19%

10%

How much of your own money are you willing to pay to finance your postgraduate course?

Charitable trusts

Employer sponsorship

Research assistantship, lecturing, demonstrating or other work in department

By bank loan

Borrowing the money from family

Bursary/studentship (eg from a Research Council or university)

Working part-time during course

10%

21%

28%

32%

47%

60%

61%

How do you intend to finance your course? Select 3 most likely sources of funding

With a relative

In my own home

At my parents' house

In rented accommodation

2%

9%

18%

71%

Where will you live while studying for your postgraduate degree?

I have attended presentations or workshops at fairs

I have asked tutors in my department

I have got information from the careers service or their website

I have used an online funding search like the one on targetcourses.co.uk

I have checked the websites of the universities I am interested in

24%

27%

35%

38%

76%

How have you researched the various ways to finance postgraduate study? Tick all that apply.

35%

34%

31%

Would you consider a part-time or online course if it were available in your chosen subject area?

Yes No Perhaps

35%

65%

Are you thinking about taking a postgraduate course outside the UK?

Yes No

Because I can't study this subject in the UK

Because it has been recommended by my tutors

Because the standard of education is higher

Because it will help my career

Because the fees are lower

Because I want to experience a different culture/learn a language

6%

10%

21%

47%

50%

72%

Why are you considering postgraduate study outside the UK. Tick all that apply.

India or Pakistan

Italy

Singapore or Malaysia

Spain

China or Hong Kong

France

Holland or Belgium

The Scandanavian countries

Australia or New Zealand

Germany

Canada

The USA

3%

8%

8%

9%

15%

20%

22%

23%

26%

28%

29%

61%

Which countries are you looking at for postgraduate study? Tick all that apply

Not confident at all

Very confident

Not very confident

Confident

4%

20%

24%

53%

How confident are you, after completing post-graduate study, that you will get a related job?

2. Survey questionsResponses by subject of

undergraduate study

Engineering Science Arts Social Science

34%

71% 73% 64%

66%

29% 27% 36%

Are you....?

Female Male


39%

79% 79%55%

18%

12% 11%

17%

43%

9% 9%29%

Are you a....?

UK national An EU national (ie Non UK)An International student


47.4%

73.6% 79.7%

53.6%

11.4%

5.2%2.2%

6.3%

9.7%3.6% 1.5%

9.6%10.9%

5.4% 3.2% 11.6%

What do you consider your ethnic origin to be?

White Mixed IndianPakistani Bangladeshi Other AsianBlack Caribbean Black African Black OtherChinese Any other ethnic group


34%

66% 67%49%

12%

15% 15%

12%

54%

19% 18%39%

Before going to university for your first degree, where were you educated?

In the state sector In the private/independent sectorAt a school/college outside the UK


31% 38% 48% 43%

69% 63% 52% 57%


Yes No


77% 83%74% 78%

23% 17%26% 22%

Are you considering postgraduate courses in a similar subject area to your first degree?

Yes No


41% 50% 46% 36%

37% 22% 22%23%

11% 17%7% 16%

11% 12%25% 25%

Why are you considering postgraduate courses where the subject is different from your first degree?

I don't want a career in areas related to my first degreeThere is more money in careers linked to my intended postgraduate courseI am not enjoying my undergraduate course and want to do something elseI don't think I will get a job with my undergraduate degree


64% 73% 76% 59%

70% 60% 52% 65%

21% 33% 35% 21%31% 44% 44%

42%

50%41% 36% 49%

What are the three main reasons you are considering post-graduate study? Please tick three answers

Because I’m passionate about the subject To get a better jobTo get a job in academia Because I need to for my chosen professionTo earn more money in the long run Because I’ll struggle to get a job this yearTo stay in the region for another year


65% 64% 56% 57%

26% 28%31% 32%

9% 8% 13% 11%



Top 3 reasons for choosing a university Engineering Science Arts Social ScienceThe reputation of the university 2 2 2 2The reputation of the department/school 1 1 1 1Its location 3 3 3Its study and library facilities 3Its social life and the social life of the town/cityIts place in the university league table

Top 3 reasons for choosing a course Engineering Science Arts Social Science


Strong vocational nature of the course

Because there is funding attached 3 2 3 3

Because I’m really interested in the subject matter 1 1 1 1

Strong links with industry/accredited course 2 3 2 2


24% 23% 16% 14%

18% 28%28% 24%

27%27%

28%28%

14%17% 21%

20%

18%5% 6% 14%


Less than £1,000 £1,000 - £3,000 £3,000 - £5,000£5,000 - £10,000 Over £10,000

How do you intend to finance your course? Top 3 choicesEngineering Science Arts Social Science

Bursary/studentship (eg from a Research Council or university) 1 1 2 3Borrowing the money from family 3 3 2Working part-time during course 2 2 1 1Research assistantship, lecturing, demonstrating or other work in department 3


83%71% 73% 67%

7%21% 19%

18%

7% 7% 8% 12%


In rented accommodation At my parents' houseIn my own home With a relative


72% 77% 79% 74%

34% 37% 40% 39%29% 30% 29% 22%29%

35% 36%37%

19%24% 29%

23%

How have you researched the various ways to finance postgraduate study? Please tick all that apply

I have checked the websites of the universities I am interested inI have used an online funding search like the one on targetcourses.co.ukI have asked tutors in my departmentI have got information from the careers service or their websiteI have attended presentations or workshops at fairs


33% 30% 36% 39%

32% 39% 31% 34%

35% 31% 33% 28%


Yes No Perhaps


52%70% 66% 63%

48%30% 34% 37%


No Yes


66% 76% 77% 67%

42% 42% 58%55%

29% 14%24%

23%42% 51%

50%47%

Why are you considering postgraduate study outside the UK? Please tick any that apply.

Because I want to experience a different culture/learn a languageBecause the fees are lowerBecause the standard of education is higherBecause I can't study this subject in the UKBecause it will help my careerBecause it has been recommended by my tutors


76% 64% 47% 64%

35%35%

21%28%

35%34%

16%

23%

9% 23%

30%

23%

33% 34%

27%22%

14% 19%

30%18%

11%23%

26%24%

Which countries are you looking at for postgraduate study? Please tick any that apply

The USA Canada Australia or New ZealandThe Scandanavian countries Germany FranceSpain Italy Holland or BelgiumIndia or Pakistan China or Hong Kong Singapore or Malaysia


33%16% 13%

23%

47%

58%56%

49%

17% 24%24%

25%

3% 2% 7% 3%


Very confident Confident Not very confident Not confident at all

3. Survey questionsResponses by pre-HE education

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

33 36 37

67 64 63

Are you....?

Male Female

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

46 36 33

54 64 67


Yes No

21 32 37 40 40 45 50 54 60 64 66 66 67 67 75 757

16 19 4 10 11 14 22 14 8 6 13 19 15 10 872

52 44 56 50 44 36 24 26 29 28 21 14 18 15 17

Students education background by degree subject

In the state sector In the private/independent sector


At a school/college outside the UK

22 22 2510 8 1116 18 17

26 25 23

What are the three main reasons you are considering postgraduate study? Please tick three answers only

To get a better job To get a job in academia

To earn more money in the long run Because I need to for my chosen profession

Because I’ll struggle to get a job this year To stay in the region for another year

Because I’m passionate about the subject


At a school/college outside the UK

32 27 31

2922

27

1725 18

6 6 76 9 9

11 11 8

What are the two major factors that would STOP you enrolling on a postgraduate course? Please tick two only

Too expensiveLack of fundingIf I get a firm offer of a job insteadLack of flexibility in course structure/study mode (p/t, distance learning)Concerns about possible negative effect on my employabilityLevel of debt after completing first degree

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

20 14 17

2925 19

2925 26

1724 19

5 11 19


Less than £1,000 £1,000 - £3,000 £3,000 - £5,000£5,000 - £10,000 Over £10,000

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

13 15 1024 21 2216 23 2026 22 208 8 89 8 15

How do you intend to finance your course? Select your THREE most likely sources of funding

By bank loanBursary/studentship (eg from a Research Council or university)Borrowing the money from familyWorking part-time during courseEmployer sponsorshipCharitable trustsResearch assistantship, lecturing, demonstrating or other work in department

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

62 72 87

26 16 52 3 210 8 7


In rented accommodation At my parents' houseWith a relative In my own home

3628 35

3240

36

31 32 30


Yes No Perhaps

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

73 66 48

27 34 52

Are you thinking about taking a post-graduate course outside the UK?

No Yes

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

37 35 3222 20 2924 25 219 10 12


Because I want to experience a different culture/learn a languageBecause the fees are lowerBecause it will help my careerBecause the standard of education is higherBecause I can't study this subject in the UKBecause it has been recommended by my tutors

In the st

ate se

ctor

In the priv

ate/in

dependent secto

r

At a sc

hool/colle

ge outside th

e UK

15 23 27

5357 50

27 18 215 2 3



4. Survey questionsResponses by nationality

UK nationals EU nationals (non-UK) International students

26 24 22

22 23 24

10 11 1116 17 17

15 14 178 8 5


Because I’m passionate about the subject To get a better job

To get a job in academia To earn more money in the long run

Because I need to for my chosen profession Because I’ll struggle to get a job this year

To stay in the region for another year


56 63 67

3230 24

12 7 9



Top 3 reasons for choosing a university UK nationals EU nationals (non-UK) International students The reputation of the university 2 2 2The reputation of the department/school 1 1 1Its locationIts study and library facilities 3Its social life and the social life of the town/cityIts place in the university league table 3 3

Top 3 reasons for choosing a course UK nationals EU nationals (non-UK) International students The reputation of the academic staff 2 2 3Strong vocational nature of the course 3Because there is funding attachedBecause I’m really interested in the subject matter 1 1 1Strong links with industry/accredited course 3 2

UK nationals

EU nationals (non-UK)

International students

29

32

31

21

21

19

20

16

18

16

16

17

9

7

7

5

9

8

Which of the following statements do you agree with? Please tick all that apply

I received useful advice and information from university websitesI received useful advice and information from postgraduate study websites like targetcourses.co.ukI received useful advice and information from my own departmentI received useful advice and information from the careers serviceNone of the aboveI studied the results of the annual student satisfaction survey


57 57 65

43 43 35

Did you receive positive encouragement from your department to stay at your current university for

postgraduate study?

Yes No


30 32 31

28 26 27

18 18 196 7 7

11 9 8

What are the two major factors that would STOP you enrolling on a postgraduate course? Please tick two

only

Too expensiveLack of fundingIf I get a firm offer of a job insteadLack of flexibility in course structure or study mode (eg part-time, distance learning)Concerns about possible negative effect on my employabilityLevel of debt after completing first degree


19 21 14

29 2119

2928

24

1817

21

514

22


Less than £1,000 £1,000 - £3,000 £3,000 - £5,000 £5,000 - £10,000 Over £10,000


25 21 21

24 23 19

17 21 21

14 11 9

9 15 158 7 10

How do you intend to finance your course? Select your three most likely sources of funding


Bursary/studentship (eg from a Research Council or university)


By bank loan

Research assistantship, lecturing, demonstrating or other work in department

Employer sponsorship

Charitable trusts


36 42 41

19 19 1814 11 1218 17 1713 10 11


I have checked the websites of the universities I am interested in

I have used an online funding search like the one on targetcourses.co.uk


I have got information from the careers service or their website

I have attended presentations or workshops at fairs


1524

32

5550

47

26 2119

4 5 2



5. Survey questions2013 survey vs 2014 survey

Because I’m passionate about the

subject

To get a better job

To earn more money in the

long run

Because I need to for my chosen profession

To get a job in academia

Because I’ll struggle to

get a job this year

To stay in the region for

another year

68% 66%

46%40%

27%20%

10%

68%62%

44% 42%

27%21%

8%


2013 2014

The reputation of the

department/school

The reputation of the university

Its location Its study and library facili-

ties

Its place in the university league

table

Its social life and the social life of

the town/city

37

25

1310 9

6

34

23

1512

107

What are the most important reasons for choosing a par-ticular university? No 1 rankings

2013 2014

Because I’m really in-terested in the sub-

ject matter

Strong links with industry/accredited

course

Because there is funding attached

Strong vocational na-ture of the course


56

18

10 8 8

55

1712

8 8

What are the most important reasons for choosing a par-ticular course? No 1 rankings

2013 2014

I received useful advice and in-

formation from university web-

sites

I received useful advice and infor-

mation from postgraduate

study websites like targetcours-

es.co.uk


formation from my own de-

partment


formation from the careers ser-

vice

None of the above I studied the re-sults of the annual student satisfac-

tion survey

61%

38% 39%34%

14% 14%

56%

40%36%

31%

15%12%

Advice and information to help you make the right decision on postgraduate study. Which of the following statements

do you agree with? Please tick all that apply

2013 2014

2013 2014

55%58%

46%42%

Did you receive positive encouragement from your department to stay at your current uni-

versity for postgraduate study?

Yes No

Too expensive Lack of funding If I get a firm offer of a job instead

Level of debt after completing first

degree

Concerns about possible negative effect on my em-

ployability

Lack of flexibility in course structure or

study mode (eg part-time, distance

learning)

71%

61%

41%

15% 13%

64%57%

38%

21%15% 13%

What are the two major factors that would STOP you enrolling on a postgraduate course? Please tick two only

2013 2014

Less than £1,000 £1,000 - £3,000 £3,000 - £5,000 £5,000 - £10,000 Over £10,000

17%

29%26%

19%

10%

18%

26%28%

19%

10%


2013 2014


Bursary/stu-dentship (eg from a Research Council or

university)


By bank loan Research assist-antship, lecturing, demonstrating or other work in de-

partment

Employer spon-sorship

Charitable trusts

61%59%

49%

36%31%

21%

12%

61% 60%

47%

32%28%

21%

10%

How do you intend to finance your course? Select your THREE most likely sources of funding

2013 2014

I have checked the websites of the univer-sities I am interested in

I have used an online funding search like the one on targetcourses.-

co.uk

I have got information from the careers ser-vice or their website


I have attended presentations or

workshops at fairs

76%

38% 36%28%

21%

76%

38% 35%

27% 24%


2013 2014

Yes No Perhaps

31%

36%

33%

35%34%

31%


2013 2014

Yes No

40%

60%

35%

65%


2013 2014

Because I want to experience a dif-ferent culture/

learn a language

Because the fees are lower

Because it will help my career

Because the standard of edu-cation is higher

Because it has been recom-

mended by my tu-tors

Because I can't study this subject

in the UK

74%

49% 49%

23%

9%5%

72%

50% 47%

21%

10%6%


2013 2014

The USA

Canada

Germ

any

Australia or N

ew ...

The Scandanavian...

Holland or Belgium

France

China or Hong Kong

Spain

Singapore or Mala...

Italy

India or Pakistan

65%

31%26%

29%23% 22% 22%

15%12% 11% 12%

3%

61%

29% 28% 26%23% 22% 20%

15%9% 8% 8%

3%

Which countries are you looking at for postgraduate study? Please tick any that apply

2013 2014

6. Survey questionsConfidence by gender

Male Female

2716

51

53

1727

4 4



TARGETcourses postgraduate study and funding survey charts

Education

receive positive

similar subject

chosen subject

family working

rs ity le

survey questions

online funding

completing