Briefing: University choices – parental influence on prospective students Available to Purchase

It has been recognised for quite a while that parents/guardians of prospective undergraduates in the civil engineering sector are having a greater say in their children's eventual university and course selection. Introduction of the new fees regime in the academic year 2012/13 will probably exacerbate this situation as higher education is gradually seen by all stakeholders as any other long-term investment with an anticipated outcome. This briefing note investigates possible trends in this area, and discusses possible ramifications for UK university civil engineering departments and the wider industry. Some recommendations are suggested based on the early research work carried out at Brunel University.