The provided bar charts illustrate how the study purposes of students changed in the UK in the years 1997 and 2007.
It is clear that the suitability of degree courses remained a major factor for students in choosing a university. In addition, the importance of proximity to parental home increased, whereas the priority of having sport and social activities decreased throughout the period.
Initially, in 1997, 19% of students in the UK were interested in universities that provided good physical and social activities; however, over the next decade, the proportion of learners fell to 6%. In contrast, the importance of proximity to parental home showed an upward trend from 10% to 22%.
Most notably, the suitability of choosing appropriate degree programs was the most important factor and accounted for around 35% throughout the period. Other factors such as quality of resources and teaching underwent small changes; the quality of materials decreased by 4%, and the importance of teaching rose by 3%.