| INDUSTRY SURVE Y | 01
The campus experience - changing attitudes and evolution
University Business Managing Editor Hannah Oakman explores the issues set to change our UK campuses in the future
H
igher education has changed dramatically in recent years and continues to evolve and shift.
Globally, more students than ever are entering HE, at ending university at both undergraduate and post graduate level; in 2012/13 there were more than 2.3 million students at ending UK universities and the lift on the cap on student numbers in 2015 may increase these numbers further. Supporting and enhancing the
'student experience' for these students throughout their time at university, is critical to the success for both the student and the institution. The market has become increasingly competitive and there’s no doubt that today’s students are considerably more empowered, consumer-aware and vocal. Furthermore, their experience of universities, even for 18-year- olds fresh from school, will be shaped by two new realities. Firstly, of course, is the fact that they
are paying for their higher education and paying handsomely – to the tune of around £30,000 for a three-year undergraduate course, apart from accommodation and other associated costs. The three words, ‘value for
money’, have entered the higher education world with a vengeance. The other new reality that universities
have needed to confront is far greater literacy among young people about what constitutes ‘service excellence’ and their expectations of that as a norm. Today’s modern university campus
needs to provide for every aspect of student life, almost on a 24/7 basis. They must off er a set ing which will not only improve the student experience, but also be more effi cient and increase engagement with local communities and regional partners. Universities also need to look very
hard at all aspects of the student journey and make sure they are constantly improving and fi nessing: from student learning experience to social programmes by the students’ union and the environment students live in.
ASK THE READERS To explore these topics further, University Business recently partnered with global food service and facilities management specialists Aramark in a survey of our readers to explore today’s ‘campus experience’
for both staff and students. A whole host of choices are
presented to today's students and the research has helped us identify some of the key trends in today’s Higher Education campus off er and also revealed new insights for the sector. The majority of those who
responded feel that students really do now require improved onsite facilities, as many students spend more time on campus. The proposed 2015 lift on the cap on student numbers may also have a big eff ect on how are campuses are used by a shifting student profi le. We are also witnessing the evolution
of the university campus; amongst many universities the purely education focus is changing to maximising use of campus facilities and boosting revenue, while still keeping the interests of students at heart. As more campuses move towards becoming ‘24/7’, public facilities, this may help to form stronger bonds between the University and its local community. The aim was to provide a snapshot of how our readers view the current status quo and their wish list for the future. We hope our fi ndings are of real use to all higher education professionals in your future planning and in keeping an increasing population of students happy on campus.
Image: © Monkey Business Images |
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