Futuretrack follows students who filled in their UCAS application in 2005/06.

 

We're currently at halfway through the study, so you may remember doing the survey before. There are four stages in total:

• Stage 1: enter higher education (2005/6)
• Stage 2: a year later (2007)
• Stage 3: after three years of study (2009)
• Stage 4: in winter 2011/12 when the majority will have started work.

Stage 1 explores your attitudes, beliefs and background:

• your reasons for entering higher education (HE)
• your reasons for choosing academic subjects and univeristy/college
• the issue of finance
• experience with UCAS application
• attitudes, values and views about HE policy and the value of HE
• where do the you come from?

Stage 2 examines what’s happened - and if your attitude has changed after one year at uni:

• evaluation of the HE experience
• HE context: region, type of uni, travel, accommodation and other resources
• current career aspirations and use of careers service
• finance and debt
• obstacles encountered and access to opportunities
• what happened if you decided against uni? where are you now?

Stage 3 quizzes you at the time when you're probably finishing your first degree. It explores:

• the educational outcomes
• career planning
• the use of careers information and guidance services
• graduate study
• experience of job-seeking
• career plans and choices.

Stage 4 takes place two years later (2011-2012) at a time when you'll probably be in employment. It looks at:

• early career development and the different career paths of others
• impact of careers advice and guidance
• the value of higher education experience and credentials
• evaluation of fit between education and outcomes
• your long-term career plans
• educational, training and career guidance needs
• integration into the graduate labour market: winners, losers and what we can learn from their experience.