The pie charts compare the primary reasons why students chose a particular UK university in 1987 and 2007.
Overall, it is clear that suitable degree courses remained the dominant factor in both years, while the significance of other reasons fluctuated, with the quality of resources seeing the sharpest decline.
In 1987, approximately 10% of students chose a university based on its proximity to their parental home. By 2007, this figure rose significantly to 22%. The quality of teaching and suitable degree courses saw slight increases, rising from 15% and 35% in 1987 to 18% and 37%, respectively, in 2007.
Most students (around 21%) selected their university based on the availability of quality resources, making it the second most important reason in 1987. By 2007, its significance decreased to 17%. Initially, good sports and social activities accounted for 19%, but by 2007, this had sharply declined to 6%, making it the least significant reason among others.”