Surveys conducted in 1982 and 2002 show different pictures of what motivate students to choose a college or university in the U.K. Summaries the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

These two pie charts illustrate the changes in various

factors

that affect students’ choices about a college or a university in the UK in 1982 and twenty

years

later.

Overall

,

although

suitable courses & degrees experienced a little decline in 20

years

, it still was the major reason for people to choose a school in both

years

. The biggest change in the influencing factor

was costs

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was cost

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, which used to be the second most important motivation for students turned into the second least important factor in 2002. In 1980, the major motivations for students choosing a college were suitable courses & degrees, costs and the distance to

parental

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the parental

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home, which occupied 40%, 28% and 19% respectively.

However

, all the proportions of these

factors

decreased in 2002. The percentage of suitable courses and degrees declined by 6% reaching 34%, standing for the most important consideration

while

the consideration of costs fell by 23% accounting for 5% in 2002. Meanwhile, the proportion of location didn’t change too much only 3%.

In contrast

, the least significant

factors

in 1980 were admission criteria, the reputation of the institution, and amenities, social activities & sports facilities, which respectively account for 3%, 5%, and 5%. Over 20

years

, the consideration of admission criteria had decreased by 1% standing for the minimum proportion.

While

the other two

factors

increased to a large extent. Reputation became the second important motivation consisting of 25% and amenities, social activities & sports facilities grew 13% occupying 18%.