going to college - barriers & perceptions

Going to College

barriers & perceptions

A Presentation Prepared For:

November 2014

S14-308

MMcL/MOD/PK

2

A. Introduction & Background

MAIN FINDINGS

SECTION 1: Introduction & Background

SECTION 2: National Surveys Results

SECTION 3: Dublin 10 & Dublin 17 Results

OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS

Table of Contents

3

In preparation for College Awareness Week 2014, Amárach Research

was commissioned to conduct two parallel studies:

1. Questions were placed on the Amárach Research Online

Omnibus. This is a nationally aligned study among 1,000 adults,

with quotas set on gender, age, region and social class.

2. A face-to-face study was also carried out in Dublin 10 and Dublin

17, two areas with low levels of third level education take-up.

Quotas were set on gender (as per the 2011 census and all

respondents were over the age of 18).

Where possible, comparisons have been made between the national

study (omnibus) and the face-to-face study.

All fieldwork took place between November 3rd and 7th 2014.

Introduction & Background

4

Sample Profile – National Survey

(Base: All respondents 18+ – 1,000)

49

12

49

28

51

22

52

26 20

28

17

18

29

Male

Female

18-24

55+

25-34

35-44

ABC1 F50+

C2DE F50-

% % %

Dublin

Munster

Conn/Ulster

ROL

Sex Social Class Region

%

Age

45-55

MAIN FINDINGS

SECTION 1:

Personal Education

7

Education Achievement

1 4

16 9 7

13

30

18 27

27

26

31 25

23

16

23 27

19

4 7

12 13 2 7

1 1 -

2 - 1

6 2

% Primary school

2 in 3 Irish adults have achieved further education, versus 23% in Dublin 10 and 39% in Dublin 17.

% % %

Secondary school (Junior certificate)

Secondary school (Leaving certificate)

Advanced certificate/Higher certificate

Primary/ Bachelor’s degree

Masters/Post Grad Diploma PHD

Other

Q. What is the highest level of education you/your partner has achieved?

National Results

Self Partner Dublin 10

Residents

Dublin 17

Residents (Base: All

adults – 1,000) (Base: 125*) (Base: 125*) (Base: All with

a partner– 666)

*Caution small base size

8

Education Profile x Demographics

National

Sample:

Gender Age Region Social Class

1,000

Male Female 18-

24

25-

34

35-

44

45-

54

55+

Dublin ROL Muns

ter

Conn/

Ulster

ABC1 C2DE

Primary

School

1%

1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 2%

Secondary

School

(Junior)

7%

7% 8% 2% 3% 4% 15% 10% 8% 7% 8% 5% 3% 11%

Secondary

School

(Leaving)

27%

27% 26% 21% 24% 24% 31% 30% 27% 27% 25% 28% 16% 36%

Advanced/

Higher Cert

25%

22% 27% 21% 22% 29% 29% 22% 19% 29% 25% 26% 25% 25%

Bachelors

Degree

27%

28% 25% 45% 32% 28% 14% 22% 26% 24% 28% 30% 37% 18%

Masters/

Post Grad

Diploma

12%

13% 12% 10% 18% 11% 8% 13% 18% 11% 12% 8% 17% 8%

PhD

1%

1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1%

9


Dublin 10: Gender Age Social Class

125

Male Female 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

ABC1 C2DE

Primary School

16%

18% 14% 0% 4% 0% 12% 53% 0% 19%

Secondary

School (Junior)

30%

35% 26% 8% 21% 32% 53% 41% 6% 33%

Secondary

School (Leaving)

26%

22% 29% 40% 39% 32% 18% 3% 13% 28%

Advanced/

Higher Cert

16%

9% 22% 20% 29% 14% 18% 3% 19% 16%

Bachelors

Degree

4%

4% 4% 4% 4% 14% 0% 0% 31% 0%

Masters/ Post

Grad Diploma

2%

5% 0% 0% 4% 9% 0% 0% 19% 0%

PhD

0%

0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

* Caution: small base size

10


Dublin 17: Gender Age Social Class

125

Male Female 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

ABC1 C2DE

Primary School

9%

14% 5% 0% 0% 0% 7% 38% 2% 13%

Secondary

School (Junior)

18%

16% 21% 12% 14% 19% 22% 25% 0% 29%

Secondary

School (Leaving)

31%

29% 33% 44% 21% 25% 41% 25% 33% 30%

Advanced/

Higher Cert

23%

21% 25% 36% 28% 31% 15% 8% 29% 20%

Bachelors

Degree

7%

7% 6% 0% 10% 6% 11% 4% 13% 3%

Masters/ Post

Grad Diploma

7%

5% 8% 0% 17% 13% 4% 0% 13% 3%

PhD

2%

2% 2% 0% 3% 6% 0% 0% 4% 0%

* Caution: small base size

11

Rationale for Not Completing Further Education

Wanting to get a job is the primary rationale for not completing further education, followed by

financial constraints (nationally) and a lack of interest (Dublin 10 and 17).

Q. Can you tell me why you did not complete further education?

Wanted to get a job

Finical constraints

Was not interested in further education

Was not ready for further education

Didn’t sit my leaving cert or equivalent

There was no course to suit my needs

Did not get enough points in my exams

Enrolled but failed to finish course

Still in secondary school

Family/ personal circumstances

Other

%

44

28

19

7

6

5

4

2

2

2

6

%

49

11

21

0

17

0

0

1

1

1

4

%

45

4

15

3

1

3

3

1

13

1

11

Dublin 10:

89*

Dublin 17:

73*

National:

343

(Base: All adults 18+ who have not completed further education)


SECTION 2:

National Survey Results

13

Further Education Consideration

Over half of those who have not completed further education would consider completing

further studies in the future. This is higher among females and the younger cohorts.

Q. Would you consider attending further education now or in the future?

(Base: All adults who did not attend further education - 343)

%

55

26

19

Yes

No

Gender:

– Male: 52%

– Female: 57%

Age:

– 18-24: 93%

– 25-34: 79%

– 35-44: 61%

– 45-54: 54%

– 55+: 32%

Region:

– Dublin: 59%

– Rest of Leinster: 58%

– Munster: 51%

– Connaught/ Ulster: 47%

Social Class:

– ABC1F50+: 57%

– C2DEF50-: 54%

Profile of Sample

Don’t know

14

Level of Information Currently Available To

Mature Students

Relatively even split between adults satisfied with the level of information available on further

education to mature students. The younger cohorts most satisfied.

%

44

41

15

Yes

No

Don’t know

(Base: All adults 18+ 1,000)

Q. Regardless of if you have attended further education or not, do you believe there is enough information

available to mature students who wish to return to a learning environment?

Gender:

– Male: 47%

– Female: 42%

Age:

– 18-24: 56%

– 25-34: 47%

– 35-44: 44%

– 45-54: 32%

– 55+: 44%

Region:

– Dublin: 44%


– Munster: 48%


Social Class:

– ABC1F50+: 45%

– C2DEF50-: 43%

College Educated:

– Yes: 44%

– No: 43%

Profile of Sample

15

Chosen Course: Right or Wrong?

Of those who have completed/ are completing further education, 3 in 4 believe that they

chose the right course. Relatively even split across the demographics.

Q. Thinking back to the course you recently completed, do you feel it was the right course for you?

%

74

21

5

Yes, it was right course for me

No, I should have chosen something different

I am not in the course long enough to answer

(Base: All who have completed/are completing third level course - 643 )

Gender:

– Male: 74%

– Female: 74%

Age:

– 18-24: 67%

– 25-34: 72%

– 35-44: 71%

– 45-54: 78%

– 55+: 79%

Region:

– Dublin: 76%


– Munster: 72%


Social Class:

– ABC1F50+: 75%

– C2DEF50-: 71%

Profile of Sample

16

Real Life Influences to Attend College

Upskilling for future employment is the primary motivator for completing further education,

with 4 in 5 being influenced by this.

Q. Thinking about the factors that influenced your most recent college course, please rank them with 1 being the most

influential?

To upskill for future employment

Employer or work

Friends

Availability of scholarship or finance

Teachers in school/coach/mentor

A sibling or family member in college

Classmates

A sibling not attending college

Other

36

21

9

8

9

5

4

1

6

27

20

12

15

12

5

4

2

3

79

58

41

41

39

20

17

11

23

2nd 1st Total

(Base: All who have completed/are completing third level course - 643 )

17

Real Life Influences Not to Attend College

For those who did not complete further education, the primary reason was the need to work

to support themselves and/ or their family.

Q. Thinking about the factors that influenced your most not to complete further education, please rank them with 1 being

the most influential?

Need to work to support myself/my family

Lack of availability of a scholarship/finances

Employer or work

Friends

Teachers at school

A sibling or family member receiving further education

A sibling not attending further education

Classmates

2nd 1st Total

(Base: All who are not/have not attended college - 343 )

31

26

20

6

8

3

1

5

26

27

16

10

7

5

6

3

73

68

65

34

29

19

19

17

18

School Guidance

Over half of respondents did not receive career guidance while at school. The younger

cohorts are more likely to have received career guidance than the older population.

Q. In deciding whether or not to pursue further education, did you receive guidance on courses and the career

opportunities arising from them while at school?

%

38

52

9

Yes

No

– 18-24 – 72%

– Connaught/ Ulster – 42%

– College attendees – 41%

Highest Amongst

Don’t know/ Not applicable

(Base: All adults 18+ 1,000)

– 45-54 – 60%

– 55+ - 68%

– Rest of Leinster – 57%

– No 3rd level education – 57%

19

Financial and Government Support

The younger cohorts are more likely to know about financial supports, which is unsurprising

given that they are of college going age.

Q. From a financial perspective are you aware of financial supports (such as grants) available to assist students with the cost of college?

(Base: All adults 18+ - 1,000)

%

61

39

Yes, aware

No, unaware

Financial Supports

Gender:

– Male: 57%

– Female: 64%

Age:

– 18-24: 81%

– 25-34: 59%

– 35-44: 57%

– 45-54: 59%

– 55+: 58%

Region:

– Dublin: 51%


– Munster: 67%


Social Class:

– ABC1F50+: 64%

– C2DEF50-: 58%

College Educated:

– Yes: 63%

– No: 57%

Profile of Sample

20

96

51

93

2

38

3 2 11 4

Supporting Children in Education

While the majority (96%) would encourage their child to pursue further education, there is a distinct

lack of knowledge among parents on the issue.

Q. Considering your own level of education, would you encourage your child/children to pursue further education?

Q. Do you believe that you have sufficient knowledge about further education/college course to advise your child/children on their options?

Q. Would you favour greater information for parents/guardians from schools on further education opportunities for children?

(Base: All parents - 663)

%

Yes

No

Encourage

Child/Children

%

Yes

No

Sufficient

Knowledge

%

Yes

No

Greater

Information

Don’t know Don’t know Don’t know

College Educated: 97% 52% 94%

21

Suggestions for Access Improvement

%

60

55

47

46

42

42

25

7

6

Improve

Affordability/Access

Q. If you were Minister for Education, which of the following would you do to help improve affordability/improve access to higher or further education?

Parents believe that tax incentives would best improve access/ affordability for further

education for their children.

(Base: All parents - 663)

Provide tax incentive to parents to send children to college

Increase the grant available to students

Increase guidance on college options in schools and in the community

Incentivise employers to provide internships and provide towards fees

Abolish fees

Reduce fees form their current level

Freeze fees for a certain number of years

Increase taxes to reduce fees

Other

*All others less than 2%

SECTION 2:

Dublin 10 & Dublin 17

23

College Attended

Q. What college did you attend for your most recent qualification?

Crumlin College of Further

Education

Ballyfermot College

DCU (Dublin City University)

Inchicore College of Further

Education

Trinity College Dublin

UCD (University College Dublin)

Other (Ireland)

Other (outside Ireland)

No. of respondents

6

5

4

4

2

1

4

3

No. of respondents

8

5

4

3

2

2

2

16

3

Dublin 10:

28*

Dublin 17:

48*

Coláiste Dhúlaigh

UCD (University College

Dublin)

DCU (Dublin City University)

Grange Community College

Tallaght IT

Trinity College Dublin

Whitehall College of Further

Education

Other (Ireland)

Other (outside Ireland) * Caution small base size, number of respondents shown

**All others 1 mention

(Base: All who attended a third level institution)

24

79

91

21 7 2

Ready for Course

Q. Were you ready for your course? Why do you say that?

(Base: All adults 18+ who attended/ are attending college)

%

Dublin 10:

28

Dublin 17:

48

Yes

No

%

Yes

No


Of those who were ready

for their course, they felt it

was because it was

something they wanted to

do/ were ready for.

Those weren’t ready felt it

was because they didn’t

know what to do/ had no

interest in the course.

The vast majority were

ready for this course

saying they wanted to

continue studying and it

was the right time for them.

Don’t know

25

Community/School Expectations

Disparity between expectations regarding further education with Dublin 17 residents having a

higher expectancy.

Q. Do you feel there is an expectation to attend college in your community/school?

(Base: All adults 18+ )

%

Dublin 10:

125

Dublin 17:

125

38

52

10

Yes

No

– 18-24’s – 56%

– College educated – 43%

– Students – 71%

– ABC1F50+ - 71%

%

59

28

13

Yes

No

– Females – 62%

– 18-24’s – 84%

– Students – 71%

Highest Amongst Highest Amongst


Don’t know

Don’t know

26

Importance of College Education

Further education is seen as very important in both communities.

Q. On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is very unimportant and 5 is very important, how important

do you feel a college education is today?

(Base: All adults 18+)

%

Dublin 10:

125

72

14

10 1 2

Very important (5)

– Female – 77%

– 25-34’s – 79%

– College educated

– 80%

Very Important

Important (4) Neither/Nor (3)

Unimportant (2)

Very unimportant (1)

%

Dublin 17:

125

62

18

17

1 2

– 18-24’s – 80%

– Work full time –

67%

– College educated

– 69%

Very Important

Very important (5)

Important (4)

Neither/Nor (3) Unimportant (2)

Very unimportant (1)

27

Family Member College Attendance

For almost half of Dublin 10 residents no other family member has attended college, while

this drops to 1 in 3 (36%) for those in Dublin 17.

Q. What immediate family member, if any, attended college in the past?


Sibling

Mother

Father

Other

None

%

35

6

6

11

48

%

35

13

13

12

10

36

Dublin 10:

125

Dublin 17:

125

Sibling

Mother

Child(ren)

Father

Other

None

28

Real Life Education Role Models

Parents followed by teachers seen as real life role models.

Q. Who are your real life role models in relation to education in your life?


% %

Dublin 10:

125

Dublin 17:

125

Parent

Teacher

Sibling

Friend

Other family member

Class mate

44

20

5

12

3

2

73

52

33

31

22

12

1st Total

Parent

Teacher

Other family member

Friend

Sibling

45

18

6

8

3

67

43

21

14

12

1st Total

Overview of Findings

30

Encouragingly 3 in 4 Irish adults have proceeded to third level

education, with the younger generation showing a higher

likelihood to progress past secondary school. Although 3rd level

attendance is lower among those living in Dublin 10 and Dublin

17 compared to the national average, a positive trend is

emerging (albeit off a small base) with young adult completing

further studies.

The primary motivator for not progressing into further education

is a desire to gain employment (nationally and in Dublin 10 and

Dublin 17), although the for the national population financial

constraints rank second whereas for those in Dublin 10 and

Dublin 17 a lack of interest is the second most common factor.

Overview of Findings

31

Of those who have not completed further education, the majority (55%) would consider continuing their studies. This is higher among the younger cohorts who may be still in school or have take a study-break. There were mixed views on the level of information available to mature students about returning to education with 44% believing that there is enough while 41% do not believe there is sufficient information. Positively 3 in 4 adults who have completed/ are completing further education believe that they chose the right course, although 1 in 5 believe they should have chosen something else. Upskilling for future employment was the primary motivator for completing further education, followed by work/ employer encouragement. Of those who have not progressed into further education a need to support oneself/ family was the primary rationale behind the decision.

Overview of Findings: National Results I

32

2 in 5 adults received career guidance advice in school. This is

higher among younger cohorts showing a shift towards this

practice. Those who have proceeded to further education are

more likely to have received career guidance advice.

The majority of adults are aware of government financial

supports (e.g. grants), with the younger cohorts showing a

higher level of awareness.

While over 9 in 10 would encourage their children to pursue

further education, half do not believe that that would have

sufficient knowledge to advise their child. 9 in 10 parents would

like more information to be made available to them.

Parents believe that tax incentives (breaks) and higher grants

would improve third level affordability and encourage third level

access for their children.

Overview of Findings: National Results II

33

Although working from a small base, the majority of Dublin 10

(79%) and Dublin 17 (91%) respondents who have proceeded

past secondary school believe that they chose the right course

for them.

Disparity evident between the two regions with regard education

expectations with higher expectations for Dublin 17 residents

(59% versus 38%). That said further education is seen as very

important in both districts.

Although sibling attendance in both communities ranks highest

for family member further educations attendance, parents are the

greatest influencers, followed by teachers.

Overview of Findings: Dublin 10 & 17 Results