Millions of students are changing their university plans due to uncertainty around the current pandemic

Students are changing their education plans due to uncertainty around the current pandemic – with more than a third wondering if it is worth going to university at all.

A study of 1,000 college and sixth-form pupils found concerns around finances, family and their future in general have led to four in 10 changing their mind about their upcoming higher education.

Prior to lockdown, 37 per cent of these had planned to go to university but are now looking at other options, while a tenth are questioning their choice to take a gap year.

More than one in 10 are also re-evaluating whether they should stick with their decision to defer their education.

The study, by MyUniChoices, found 28 per cent of those who have changed their minds are putting this down to feeling uncertain about the economy.

Almost one in five are looking to change their plans to be closer to family while 22 per cent are concerned about their personal finances.

But three in 10 simply can’t think about their future when things are so ambiguous and more than half are anxious about committing to plans during the current crisis.

The findings come after it was revealed that universities are facing a £760 million loss in tuition fees.

Dr Charles Johnson, chief psychometrics advisor for MyUniChoices, said: “In common with most other people, young people are suffering from a huge degree of uncertainty about the future and this is greatly affecting their immediate plans for what to do after leaving school.

“Those choosing to go to university recognise they are making a choice which will shape their lives for more than just the years that they study, so making the right choice matters.

“It’s vital that when students choose to go away, they do so with confidence that the time they will spend studying will be in a course and an environment which help them grow and thrive.

“Whether they plan to go away this year or next, it is only right that students pause, take stock and check that the course they want to do is the one which is right for them.

“Taking a small amount of time to reflect and reassess now is the best way of avoiding making the wrong choice which can be costly from a financial, career and mental health perspective.”