Decline in confidence in University-first culture ahead of A-Level results

As Clearing opens and A-level results day approaches on 13 August, new research suggests there has been a profound cultural shift in how families are thinking about life after school.

For decades, the question facing school leavers was simply: “Can I get into university?” Today, that question has evolved into something far more pragmatic: “Will university actually get me into work?”

The findings come at a time when more than one million young people under 25 are not in education, employment or training (NEET), graduate employment is becoming increasingly competitive, and outstanding student loan debt in England is approaching £300 billion.

A new poll of 16 to 24-year-olds and their parents, commissioned by The Event Academy, reveals growing scepticism about the traditional university pathway.

Ros spoke to Claire Derrick, founder and prinicpal of The Event Academy.

Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash