More than two-thirds of prospective university students back a delayed start to the year to secure more face-to-face teaching, while almost one in four (23%) fear that the university they wish to study at this year could go bust because of the COVID-19 crisis, warns a University and College Union (UCU) survey of prospective university students.
Half (49%) fear that damage caused by funding cuts because of the pandemic will negatively impact on their education and 71% back a delay to the start of term.
UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said: “Given the impact this uncertainty is having on students, it is now critical that government agrees to provide increased financial backing to the sector. Students need to be confident that they will get a high-quality education, despite the hugely damaging impact of the pandemic.”
YouthSight polled 516 students who have applied to university this academic year (2020-21), of whom 87% are living in the UK, and found:
• 23% were moderately or very worried that the university they wish to attend will go bust (not have enough money to operate) because of the crisis (9% were very worried).
• 49% were moderately or very worried that the university they wish to attend will need to make cuts because of the COVID-19 crisis that will negatively impact their education (23% were very worried).
• 71% were moderately or very supportive of moving the start of their first year of university to a later time if it meant they could have more face-to-face rather than online teaching (52% were very supportive).
The survey was published on the same day that the UK government published guidance on the reopening of higher education buildings and campuses, which gives clear encouragement to universities to continue to deliver many classes online. ♦
