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Half of Britons without degrees could be tempted into higher education

By TJ (13-07-2007)
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Learning and Development News - Half of Britons without degrees could be tempted into higher education

A new YouGov poll of people aged between 25 and 44 without degrees reveals that a huge number - 48% - wish they had earned a degree.

  • 48% wish they’d earned a degree
  • 77% say academic ability wasn’t the reason they didn’t pursue a degree
  • 59% of those currently working want courses that don’t involve compulsory on-site atteandance
  • 45% say they would consider a degree if they could study online.

When asked why they had originally not gone on to get a degree, only 23% said they were not good enough academically to get a degree. Charles Hall, President, International, Kaplan Higher Education, said: “This begins to suggest that there are huge numbers of adults in Britain who wish they had earned a degree, and who are bright enough to do so. These Britons are an ‘Untapped Generation’ – Under-qualified, Talented People with Potential to Earn Degrees.”

While nearly half of those polled wish they had a degree, these people are not lacking in ability or confidence. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. The poll reveals them to be an ambitious, successful generation that views higher education as a way to do even better in life and fulfil the potential that they know they have. 63% feel that earning a degree would have allowed them to fulfil their potential in education and 55% believe they could have earned more money with a degree.

The YouGov poll, conducted in June, showed that 62% are comfortable with new technology, 51% describe themselves as resourceful, and 41% are happy with what they have achieved but think a degree could help them do even more professionally.

When asked to choose from a range of options about what would be best for working adults looking to study for a degree for the first time, only 3% said that the best option would be to go to a local university with 18-21 year olds for a “good university experience”. The majority of those currently working, 59%, said it would be best to have a different learning model that doesn’t involve compulsory classroom attendance in order to fit in with their other work and family commitments.

Of those who considered a degree (or started one but didn’t complete it), the main reason they chose not to pursue a degree were: they couldn’t afford to (52%), they didn’t have the time (41%), and they had family commitments (38%).

More than half of those polled (54%) said they would consider starting a degree now if it was cheaper, and exactly half said they would consider starting a degree if they could do it in their own time. 45% said that being able to study online would make them consider starting a degree now.

Charles Hall said: “As this poll shows, addressing the needs of the Untapped Generation should be a priority for politicians of all parties and anyone interested in widening participation in higher education and in improving the skills of the British workforce. We will be circulating the results widely within Westminster and Whitehall.

“This poll shows clearly that huge numbers of resourceful, bright adults could be attracted into higher education if alternative ways of studying were more readily on offer – namely, if the way courses were offered allowed them to fulfill their other work and family commitments, allowing them to continue earning while learning.

“Courses that run and assess students 52 weeks a year, have multiple start dates and are taught entirely online without compulsory classroom attendance or exams would begin to address the specific needs of unqualified adults in employment.

“The results of this poll suggest that, far from online study being a barrier, offering degree programmes online could actually bring many more adults without degrees into higher education for the first time.”

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