The UCAS Chief Executive, Clare Marchant, has warned that university places are set to become more competitive by 2025 as it is estimated one million students will apply by 2025, a 40% increase of current applicants. Marchant has suggested some students should consider other options as there may be a “sea change” in the number of degree apprenticeships and jobs straight from school. In light of this, leading EdTech platform MyTutor has unveiled research that has been examining the nation’s attitudes towards further education.

The landmark research shows that more than 1 in 4 British parents agree their child feels their long-term university prospects have been damaged in the wake of the pandemic. However, university is not the only route that will lead teens onto a successful career in the future. The nation’s children are now more mindful than ever of their career prospects. Having witnessed their parents lose their jobs or be furloughed in the blink of an eye, today’s teens have a different idea of the academic prerequisites they require to succeed in life – and may not rely on traditional career trajectories to do so. MyTutor unveils the sentiments of a nation of teens who are now evaluating internships and apprenticeships just as much as they are considering academia to progress their career, finding that nearly two thirds – 62% – of parents say university is not the only path they are recommending to their child after their school career, as it is not essential for them to get a good job.

Key statistics:
26% agree that their child feels that their long-term university and career prospects have been damaged by COVID-19
62% agree that university is not the only path they are recommending to their child after their school career, as it is not essential for them to get a good job
43% agree their child’s self-esteem is linked to the grades they achieved at school and university
24% agree that to support their child’s professional and educational progression, they will integrate home-schooling permanently post-Covid
Bertie Hubbard, Co-founder of EdTech platform MyTutor, discusses how the pandemic has impacted university admissions and career prospects:

“UK parents are increasingly worried about the impact of school closures on their teens’ long-term career prospects. If they didn’t get their target grades from teachers’ predictions, the pressure to perform well in Autumn retakes is intense – especially following months out of the classroom. Teens have also missed out vital UCAS preparation with their teachers, and packing the process into the Autumn term gives them less time to get ready than previous cohorts. As a result, many teens fear they’ll have to lower their university choices, and their career ambitions as a result.”