Study set to probe course choices

YOUNG people who will learn their A-level results next week are to take part in a major national study attempting to discover why school-leavers decide what higher education courses to study and where, writes Alan Thomson.

The study, to be carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies, will also attempt to find out why some school-leavers reject higher education. This will include an investigation of perceived barriers to participation by groups of young people from different backgrounds.

IES director Richard Pearson said: "Choosing a university or college, and a course to study are crucial questions for potential students, especially since the introduction of tuition fees will increase their personal financial investment in further study."

The report, Making the Right Choice, is due to be published in the spring.

Students with general national vocational qualifications and Scottish highers will be included in the study.