University students want better food facilities and social areas more than anything else, a new poll reveals.
The sixth Sodexo University Lifestyle Survey, in association with Times Higher Education, involved more than 140 UK universities and 2,000 students also shows they expect an effective sustainability strategy.
The research shows students expect better services and qualifications at universities because of the rise in tuition fees. Of the students polled, 28% indicated they wanted better catering outlets, 22% asked for improvements to bars, cafes and clubs and 21% expected better equipped IT facilities.
Just under a fifth of the respondents (18%) called for improved accommodation but the share of students from outside Europe who gave this view was 28%.
Although the predicted drop in university admissions hasn’t materialised, the survey shows students are much more careful when choosing where they want to study, according to Sodexo strategic development director Peter Taylor.
He said universities must give as much thought to their overall environment than their academic attributes to be as attractive to potential students as possible.
Copyright Press Association 2014