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UCAS Freshers Report reveals new student shopping trends for 2022

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:04

In UCAS advice

It’s time to think differently about consumer engagement with students.

We can finally talk about the 2022 Freshers Report, which has just been published after months of research and analysis. Today’s launch reveals insight gathered from more than 7,000 students, about what really makes them tick when it comes to spending and shopping. For brands and businesses looking to engage with this unique market, it’s a crucial read.

And they are extremely unique, especially compared to their predecessors. They are the Gen Z vanguard when it comes to maturity, spending, and influence, but they’ve also lived through a global pandemic. This year’s freshers have all but skipped...

Now live! Our new Freshers Report reveals a reshuffle of student brand preferences…

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:05

In UCAS advice


It’s all change at the top. And the middle. And the bottom.

It’s another one to shake things up – we’ve just published this year’s revelation report, the UCAS 2022 Freshers Report. We spoke to more than 7,000 students to understand how the last year has affected the way they shop, spend, and interact with their favourite (and least favourite) brands.

Brand preference and perception has proved to be one of the most dramatic shifts in this year’s report. It’s nothing new for Gen Z to hold businesses to account – just look at corporate cancel culture or the industry fall out of BLM – but lots of brands have seen their younger markets stepping away in response to PR...

Get ready – report to reveal big changes in student consumer behaviours

Thu 10 March 2022 - 17:00

In UCAS advice

For the 11th year running, we’re getting ready to publish the results of our extensive research into student consumer behaviour.

And this year’s freshers are a little different – part Gen Z, part Isolation Generation – a unique group of young shoppers influenced by a unique experience. That’s why our Freshers Report, coming 3 March, is more important than ever for those looking to engage with this market. Inside, we’ll reveal what’s behind the rapidly changing mindset of today’s students – and what it means for brands.

Sign up to receive your copy...

Apprenticeships vs University

Tue 14 January 2025 - 15:23

By UCAS in UCAS advice

University has been the top choice for students all over the UK for longer than we can remember, but apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular and in demand with employers.
 

Over 30,000 undergraduate degrees exist for you to choose from. University is a great learning opportunity where you can pick up useful life-skills like living away from home, attending lectures and creating a social life somewhere completely foreign to you! The variety of courses and universities give students the choice to follow their passions and become experts in their chosen fields. However, not everyone will enjoy university study or university life. Plus there are financial aspects to consider, including...

Going to university or college if you’ve been in care – our top ten tips for success

Tue 11 October 2022 - 14:45

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Going to university or college if you’ve been in care – our top ten tips for success

Making a decision about university or college can be tricky, and there may be more to think about if you are care experienced. There are lots of misconceptions around so this guide will help you find out all you need. And if you need more information, you can read our information and advice for care experienced students.

1: There is financial support available to help care experienced students

Everyone worries about finances, but this shouldn’t be more of a concern for students with care experience than anyone else – in fact, there is additional...

Starting an online business whilst at University (with a small amount of money)

Fri 17 December 2021 - 11:12

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Starting a small online business whilst you’re a University student is a great way to start your journey into entrepreneurship and gain some first-hand experience on how the world of business works.

You don’t need vast amounts of financial backing to start a small online business, I started Protein Package with £300 of savings during my first year at University. We allow customers to pick and mix healthy snacks without needing to order large quantities of protein bars and be stuck with the same flavour for weeks on end.

Pick a niche that interests you

Firstly, the best place to start with your online business is to select a...

What does the Guaranteed Offer mean for care experienced students in Scotland?

Fri 13 January 2023 - 08:43

By UCAS in UCAS advice

The Guaranteed Offer for Care Experienced applicants in Scotland has been a welcome addition to the admissions landscape. Whilst many institutions have been offering adjusted offers for some time, in July 2019 the Guaranteed Offer was formally launched by Universities Scotland in an event co-hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University and Who Cares? Scotland. The Guaranteed Offer seeks to provide equality of access to degree-level study for those who have experience of the care system – there’s no upper age limit and therefore anyone who has experience of care at any point in their life is eligible. Who Cares? Scotland has produced a guide to the Guaranteed Offer which guide takes you through the principles of the policy as well as answering some frequently asked questions.

Despite the Guaranteed Offer being...

Apprenticeships are the future of technical education

Wed 3 July 2024 - 11:55

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Creating an early talent pipeline through degree apprenticeships isn’t simply valuable, it’s the future.

With the government’s 2021 Skills for jobs white paper we have a strong indication that apprenticeships will play a key role in filling the digital skills shortage – and that employers will lead the way.

‘Training and qualifications must meet the needs of employers. We will achieve this by aligning the vast majority of post-16 technical education and training to employer-led standards by the end of the decade.’

We know the funding is there ...

Five reasons to run degree apprenticeships in-house

Fri 29 October 2021 - 12:01

By UCAS in UCAS advice

1. You can make in-house apprenticeships extremely relevant to your organisation

If you’re willing to invest time and effort into engaging with the rules of running your own degree apprenticeships, you’ll see the extent to which you can embed your organisation’s goals into the programme.

Whether you’re suffering from skills shortages, or you need new energy and insight to transform an aspect of your business – degree apprenticeships are a great solution. You’ll be able to build a more diverse workforce and benefit from training that’s tailored to your business. And with funding from the apprenticeship levy, it’s a cost-effective recruitment solution.

2. There’s plenty of support to help you run apprenticeships in-house

There’s more than one...

About The Care Leaver Covenant

Thu 4 July 2024 - 10:11

By UCAS in UCAS advice

The Care Leaver Covenant is a national inclusion programme for care leavers between the age of 16-25 in England. The Covenant is a promise made by the private, public and voluntary sectors to provide support for care leavers through 5 key areas: independent living; education, employment and training; safety and security, mental and physical health and finance.

The Covenant team works with organisations such as John Lewis, Amazon, Barnardo’s, Metro Bank and many others to find (or in some cases develop) and promote a variety of opportunities direct to the care leaving community.

These opportunities could take the shape of internships and employment, work experience or taster days, specialist bank accounts and access to employment support or CV workshops, for example. The Covenant may also be a resource to direct someone to an independent...

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