Public Support for Higher Education

The principle of government funding for higher education is sacrosanct according to the British public, eighty eight per cent believe that government spending on higher education is an investment for the future.

Just over half (55%) say that we should continue to increase the number of students at universities in Great Britain and two thirds who say this think that the general public through tax or the government should pay for expansion. Almost half (48%) think employers should pay, 28% parents; 13% students who have already graduated; 12% students at university.

The public also think it is important for students to gain general skills, just over two thirds (68%) agreed that all students at university should take courses in skills like communications, numeracy and information technology or computing.

The highest proportion think research should be focused on centres of excellence, forty two per cent agree that research should be concentrated in a small number of universities, while the majority concentrate on teaching.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,932 adults aged 18+ in 173 sampling points throughout Great Britain as part of its Omnibus survey. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in home, on 21-24 March 1997. Data are weighted to reflect the known population profile.

Topline results

Q. Now I would like to ask you some questions on your views about higher education. By “higher education” I mean universities. How important an issue would you say that higher education would be in determining which political party you will vote for in the forthcoming General Election?

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

All students at university should take courses in skills like communications, numeracy and information technology or computing

Research should be concentrated in a small number of universities while the majority concentrate on teaching

We should continue to increase the number of students at universities in Great Britain

Q. (To all who agree the number of students should continue to increase) Which, if any, of the people/bodies on this list do you think should help pay to increase the number of students in Great Britain? Base: All favouring an increase in students (1,075)

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Government spending on higher education is an investment for the future

Q.(To all with children currently under 18 or at university) The money provided by the Government for teaching university students has not kept pace with the increased number of students at university. This means that the amount of money for teaching each student is falling. How much, if anything, would you personally be prepared to pay per year to cover teaching costs for any of your children who may go to university, assuming you currently have children under 18 or at university at the moment? Base: All with children at university or under 18 (967)