The pie charts compare the primary causes of selecting a particular educational institution among students from 1997 to 2007. Overall, suitable degree courses were the main factors, maintaining its dominance during the period. The demand for good sports, social activities and proximity to parental home increased significantly, while the quality of resources was considered less important by 2007. It is also clear that the quality of teaching saw a minimal change.
In 1997, most students chose a university due to its suitable degree courses, at 35%. This was followed by the quality of resources, good sports and social activities, representing almost similar proportions, at 21% and 19%, respectively. Meanwhile, proximity to parental home and quality of teaching did not play a key role in selecting a university, making up just 10% and 15%, respectively.
By 2007, the figure for suitable degree courses had a slight rise, from 35% to 37% – the main contributing factor in both years. The importance of proximity to parental home grew significantly, eventually reaching 22%. Quality of teaching had a slight change from 15% to 18%, a gain of a mere 3%. By contrast, the importance of good sports and social activities decreased sharply, from 19% to 6% while the quality of resources became a less important reason, showing 17% by 2007.