Student Life Not What it Used to Be - Libraries and IT Facilities Outweigh Pubs

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16 September 2016 | Updated 01 January 1970

Nearly two thirds of UK students say libraries, accommodation and IT facilities are key to their university choice.

AUDE’s (the Association of University Directors of Estates) latest student experience survey released week ending September 16, found that facilities are an important factor for nearly two thirds (61%) of students when choosing a university.

For the third year running, study facilities, including IT stations and libraries, came out on top with only 24% of students placing importance on entertainment and social buildings when it comes to deciding their choice of higher education institution.

The report commissioned by AUDE, surveyed two thousand students on their university choice and the facilities that are most important to them.

 Accommodation remains a priority for potential students with over half (57%) agreeing and strongly agreeing that it played a key role in their selection. As the marketisation of universities continues, there is increased pressure for universities to attract students so accommodation choice and quality will continue to be extremely important. Other key influences when choosing a university include course (79%), location (69%) and academic ranking (44%).

The report also found that despite funding cuts, university facilities continue to improve and AUDE members are responding strongly to the efficiency and effectiveness agenda. 83% of students believe their university study facilities to be excellent or good, an increase by 5% from 2015’s figures. Other building quality indicators are also improving, with 65% of students stating their accommodation facilities are excellent or good and 60% stating the same for their catering facilities.

Students are spending more time than ever on their studies, with the library being the most used facility for 66% of UK students and IT facilities second (51%). Gender differences are still apparent; 70% of female students use the library compared to only 57% of their male peers. Over a third (36%) of male students reported to use sport facilities the most, compared to just 18% of women.

Understanding motivations

AUDE Chair Trevor Humphreys, Director of Estates and Facilities, at the University of Surrey said: “The data shows that students place a strong emphasis on learning facilities more so than social space but we know that the quality and adequate supply of both are very important to today’s student. Choosing the right university is a big step for many young adults and the survey again shows that higher education facilities play an important part in their decision. Effective estate management is key to ensuring higher education institutions deliver the best possible student experience, both academically and socially, so it’s encouraging to know that despite many sector challenges, a very high level of students feel their university offers clean and well maintained buildings.

“Directors of Estates need to continually understand both student behaviour and satisfaction, which is why we commissioned this survey. AUDE and its members are at the forefront of ensuring that UK university estates and facilities are well managed and maintained, efficient and effective. It is our role to ensure that the facilities we are responsible for continue to be world class, both to attract and retain the finest students and staff from across the UK and internationally.”

Spending

The survey found that over half (59%) of students polled say they would be happy for more money to be spent on facilities or the estate as a whole. For over 10 years the sector has been committed to the sustainability agenda and many universities have developed and delivered some very sustainable buildings, however the survey revealed that 22% of UK students would like additional money spent on more environmentally-friendly buildings.

Picture: typically, students are more concerned about where they will live and study than what the local pub is like

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 16 September 2016

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