Public Perceptions of Higher Education in Ireland

1. Public Perceptions of Higher Education in Ireland Prepared for the Higher Education Authority Paul Moran & Rachel Ward September 27, 2018 41300484

2. Quantitative Research Methodology • Methodology: Questions were included on the Kantar Millward Brown Omnibus survey, a syndicated survey of face-to-face, in home interviews. • Sample Description: Nationally representative sample of all adults aged 16+ in the Republic of Ireland. Quotas set on age, social class, gender and region. Interviews were conducted between 29th August and 12th September 2018. • Sample size: n=1,008. Margin of Error at its highest point is +/-3.1%. • Sampling Area: 64 sampling points nationwide, representative of the profile and spread of urban and rural localities nationwide.

3. Sample Profile – who we spoke to – Our profile matches the known profile of the Irish population in terms of gender, age, region and social class. We allow education to fall out naturally. Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Current Student at Irish Third Level Education Institution % Highest Level of Education Completed % Gender % Age % Region % Social Class % Yes Primary education AB 16-24 Dublin 25-34 Male Secondary level C1 Rest of Leinster 35-49 C2 No Trade/technical/ vocational training Munster 50-64 Female DE Bachelor’s degree Conn/Ulster 65+ Master's degree, PhD or professional degree F

4. Third level education is seen to be of vital importance to Ireland on both a global and local level; agreement of its importance is almost universal on all attributes • Importance of Third Level Education • Q.1 In general, how important do you believe third level education is to…? Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Very important 90% 94% 92% 92% Somewhat important Neither important nor unimportant Somewhat unimportant Very unimportant

5. Nearly 1-in-4 feel that colleges are well/very well funded; higher among current third level students and those likely preparing to enter that phase. However, this leaves nearly two-fifths (38%) of the population viewing funding more negatively and this increases significantly among those who obtain higher degrees and as a result, have a longer exposure to the Irish third level education system • Perception of Irish Third Level College Funding • Q.2 From what you know, do you believe that Irish third-level colleges are very well-funded, well-funded, adequately funded, poorly funded or very poorly funded? Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 % Very well funded Well funded Adequately funded Poorly funded Very poorly funded Don’t know

6. In general, the Irish public believes that the State should be paying at least half the share of third level education fees, with a quarter being funded by the individual and the remaining balance from businesses • Third Level Fee Sources • Q.3 Third level education is generally paid for from three sources – the individual or their family, the State, and businesses. What percentage of fees do you believe should be paid by…? Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Businesses The individual taking the degree or their family The State *Caution – low base, n=57

7. Generally speaking, the population feel that Irish third level colleges are quite effective • Perceived Success of Irish Third Level Colleges • Q.4 How successful have third level colleges in Ireland generally been in terms of: Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Very successful 83% 85% 82% 85% Quite successful Neither successful nor unsuccessful Quite unsuccessful Very unsuccessful *Caution – low base, n=57

8. The ability to work as part of a team is seen as the most important skill for graduates to have in preparation for the workplace followed closely by IT knowledge and communication skills • Important Skills and Experiences • Q.5 Which three skills or experiences do you feel are the most important for graduates in preparing for the workplace? Please select the three skills/experiences you feel are important, starting with the one you feel is most important. We are only interested in your opinion here. Among Current Third Level Students Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Any Important% Most Important% *Any Important = Combined First, Second and Third Mentions

9. Around one third view degrees from Irish third level colleges as better than degrees from elsewhere; however, perceptions among current and potential third-level students cause for some concern, particularly in terms of how they view Irish degrees versus degrees from US institutions • Perception of Irish Third Level Degrees • Q.6 In regard to adequately preparing graduates for the workplace, do you believe that a degree from an Irish third level college is generally better, the same or worse than a degree from a third level college in…? Base: All Adults 16+, n=1,008 Better The same Worse Don’t know *Caution – low base, n=57

10. Executive Summary • Importance of Third Level Education • Third level education is seen to be of vital importance both from a domestic point of view, but also in terms of Ireland’s standing on the global stage. Over two-thirds of the Irish public say that third level education is “very important” when it comes to Ireland’s global reputation, economic worth and ability to attract foreign direct investment. On a local level, many feel third level institutions benefit the community in general. Current third level students see their education as particularly important to Ireland’s global reputation. • Perceptions of Third Level College Funding • One-quarter of the adult Irish population feel that third level colleges are at least “well-funded” while 3-in-10 (28%) feel they are adequately provided for. Current third level students and 16-24 year olds are more likely to feel that institutions are supported. However, nearly 4-in-10 say that colleges are poorly funded which increases significantly to those with advanced degrees (Master’s, PhD or professional degree). It is possible that because advanced degree holders have longer exposure to the Irish third level education system, they are more cognizant of potential funding shortfalls. • Sources of Payment for Third Level Fees • The Irish public feels that the State should be responsible for paying at least half of third level college fees while 28% of the cost should come from the individual taking the degree/their family and that businesses should account for the remainder (17%). • Perceived Success of Irish Third Level Colleges • A large proportion of Irish adults (80%+) feel that Irish third level institutions are generally good at equipping graduates for life, offering relevant fields of study and workplace preparation as well as the overall betterment of communities. However, current third level students are less likely to feel that colleges have been successful at preparing graduates for the workplace.

11. Executive Summary • Important Skills and Experiences • The ability to work as part of a team is perceived to be the most important skill for graduates to have in preparation for the workplace followed closely by knowledge and understanding of IT and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Current third level students also feel that teamwork skills are the most important. • Perception of Degrees from Irish Third Level Institutions • Around one-third of the Irish public feel that degrees from Irish third level institutions are better than degrees from anywhere else while relatively few feel that they are worse; 15% feel they are worse than degrees from the U.S., 10% from the U.K. and 7% from Mainland Europe or elsewhere in the world, respectively. However, there is some cause for some concern about perceptions among current third level students and potential third level students (16-24 year olds) as they are more likely to think that degrees from Irish colleges are worse than those from Mainland Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Of particular note is that over a quarter (27%) of current third level students and 22% of 16-24 year olds feel that Irish degrees are worse than those obtained from third level institutions in the United States.

12. Appendix

13. Perception of Irish Third Level College Funding x Demographics Total n=1,008 Male n=486 Female n=522 16-24 n=132 25-34 n=173 35-49 n=304 50-64 n=229 65+ n=170 Very well funded Well funded Adequately funded Poorly funded Very poorly funded Don’t Know

14. Perception of Irish Third Level College Funding x Demographics Current 3rd Level Student n=75* Not Current 3rd Level Student n=933 Total n=1,008 AB n=108 C1 n=321 C2 n=277 DE n=253 F n=49* Very well funded Well funded Adequately funded Poorly funded Very poorly funded Don’t Know • *Caution – small base

15. Perception of Irish Third Level College Funding x Demographics Trade/ Technical/ Vocational training n=277 Conn/ Ulster n=176 Primary education n=57* Secondary Level n=423 Bachelor’s Degree n=183 Master’s Degree n=68* Total n=1,008 Dublin n=256 ROL n=288 Munster n=288 Very well funded Well funded Adequately funded Poorly funded Very poorly funded Don’t Know • *Caution – small base

16. Thank You! For further details contact: Paul Moran paul.moran@kantarmillwardbrown.com Rachel Ward rachel.ward@kantarmillwardbrown.com Kantar Millward Brown | 6 Ely Place, Dublin 2 | T. +353 (1) 297 4500