The study found that parental pressure contributed to this expectation. More than one fifth of graduates surveyed did not think their parents would have been supportive if they had chosen to pursue an apprenticeship rather than university. Furthermore, research of parents of children in education found that nearly four in ten would not be completely supportive if their children chose not to go to university, and instead pursue an apprenticeship.
A further one third of parents held the belief that you would not get paid as much when you enter the workplace without a degree, and 16 percent thought that their children would struggle to become independent unless they studied at university.
Newcastle uni politics Student Sam Bunting comments ‘I know of many students pressured into receiving a University education as they’re told it’s the only way they’ll receive a well paid career, if they’re parents have gone to University, then it’s expected that they should follow a similar route’. I
IBM's research considered awareness of other alternatives to University study, finding that 47% of sixth formers were not aware of the option to pursue a degree apprenticeship - completing both a degree and an apprenticeship simultaneously – rather than living and receiving higher education as a full-time student. 57 per cent of mums and dads were not aware of degree apprenticeships as an alternative option either.
There are several degree apprenticeships that are able to cover all tuition fees whilst the candidate is paid. It is claimed that businesses are missing out on a large talent pool as a result of people’s lack of knowledge of degree apprenticeships.
Jenny Taylor, IBM’s UK foundation leader, said : “Young people either fail to receive the correct information on the routes available to them, or are presented with so much that it can become overwhelming.
“There are different ways to get into the same career path – it just depends on what’s right for you and this does not always mean university.”
Graduates were also surveyed, with 65% claiming that they have regrets about going to university, due to increasing student debt and rising graduate unemployment rates.
