NUS Sustainability skills survey 2018-2019

Evan Botwood VP Societies and Communication The Students’ Union at UWE

NUS Sustainability Skills Survey Findings 2019-20

Ethnicity Gender 3.33%

1.78% 2.22% 2.67%

3.78% 4.00%

0.68%

4.00%

33.56%

4.44%

10.89%

62.89%

65.77%

Man

Woman

In another Way

White - British Black or Black British - African Asian or Asian British - Other Asian or Asian British - Indian Prefer not to say

White - Other Asian or Asian British - Chinese Mixed Other Ethnic Group Black or Black British - Other

Year of Study

Student Citizenship

30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

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How many academic years have passed since you last studied prior to attending University?

More than 5 years

2-5 years

1 year since formal study

0, I have come straight to university 0%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

I am a UK ci tizen studyi ng i n the UK I am a n i nternationa l student from wi thi n the EU studyi ng i n the UK I am a n i nternationa l student from outsi de the EU studyi ng i n the UK

Course or Degree Phys i cal s ci ences Mathematical s ci ences Huma ni ties Mas s communi cations a nd documentation La nguages , l i terature and cul ture Education Bi ologi cal s ci ences Computer s ci ences Archi tecture, bui l di ng and pl a nni ng Law Engi neeri ng a nd technol ogy Creative a rts and des i gn Medi ci ne, dentistry a nd rel ated s ubjects Other Soci al s ci ences Bus i nes s a nd admi ni strative studies 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

How important were the following when choosing which university to apply to?

Employment prospects after completing the course Reputation of the course The reputation of the university The teaching methods The ‘A’ level or equivalent grades or points demanded Attractiveness of location The position of the university in league tables The position of the course in league tables How seriously the university takes global development issues Nightlife How seriously the university takes environmental issues The proximity of the university to home 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

What were the main reasons for taking the course you're currently studying?

To improve my ability to make a difference to the environment To improve my ability to make a difference to other people To mix with different types of people It was the natural progression for me I have always wanted to To challenge myself To learn more about interesting subjects For the experience To improve my earning potential To improve my chances of getting a job To gain qualifcations 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Which, if any, of the following groups, clubs or societies are you a part of at university?

None of These Sports clubs or teams Course related / academic clubs Fun / special interest clubs Course representative Volunteering to help other people Volunteering to help the environment Fundraising Faith Other Student media Political 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

What motivated you to take part in these clubs, societies or groups?

To meet new people / make friends To have fun To develop skills To gain work experience / develop my CV To keep ft To improve things / help other people To enhance learning from my course I wanted to make a difference To fll spare time To gain an award / certifcate / accreditation I believe it’s my duty It’s part of my course 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Thinking of your time at university, have any of the following been covered in the teaching so far?

Considering ethical issues linked to your subject Challenging the way we do things now (like business, politics, education) Solving problems by thinking about whole systems – including different connections and interactions Planning for the long term, as well as the short term Communicating complex information clearly and effectively to different types of people Understanding how to create change Looking at a problem using information from different subjects or disciplines Looking at global problems from the perspective of people from around the world Understanding how human activity is affecting nature The causes of inequality in the world Using resources efficiently to limit the impact on the environment and other people 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

How important is it to you that you learn these skills, attrbutes and knowledge during your time at university?

Planning for the long term, as well as the short term Communicating complex information clearly and effectively to different types of people Challenging the way we do things now (like business, politics, education) Considering ethical issues linked to your subject Understanding how to create change Solving problems by thinking about whole systems – including different connections and interactions Looking at global problems from the perspective of people from around the world Using resources efficiently to limit the impact on the environment and other people Looking at a problem using information from different subjects or disciplines The causes of inequality in the world Understanding how human activitiy is affecting nature 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

What do you think the most relevant way of including the skills and knowledge needed to help other people and the environment within your own course would be?

Offer placements or work experience

Build the material into the existing content in the course

Link coursework or dissertations to the issues

Offer a specifc module on the course

Run extra-curricular activities within departments

Run extra-curricular activities within the students' union 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

If your course includes completing a dissertation, what do you hope to get out of it?

To fnd out more about a topic I'm interested in To get a good mark To learn new skills To help me get a job when I graduate To use my research to help make a difference to other people To use my research to help make a difference to the environment To work with a particular academic 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

I am able to contribute to the development of the curriculum for my course 45%

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

How important do you think the following skills and knowledge are to future employers?

Communicating complex information clearly and effectively to different types of people Planning for the long term, as well as the short term Solving problems by thinking about whole systems – including different connections and interactions Understanding how to create change Looking at a problem using information from different subjects or disciplines Considering ethical issues linked to your subject Challenging the way we do things now (like business, politics, education) Using resources efficiently to limit the impact on the environment and other people Looking at global problems from the perspective of people from around the world Understanding how human activity is affecting nature The causes of inequality in the world 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

How important do you think the following factors will be when considering which jobs to apply for?

A good starting salary

Opportunities to progress quickly

A chance to work in a business / organisation that makes a difference to social and environmental issues

A role that contributes to development within the local community

A job that matches the skills I have, without additional training

A role that contributes to helping the environment 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Considering all factors were equal which option would you choose?

100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0%

Considering all factors were equal which option would you choose?

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

Considering all factors were equal which option would you choose?

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

ÂŁ3000 lower salary in a role that contributes to positive environmental and social change

What kind of organisation do you see yourself working in when you finish your course? t en em on g a ti an uca R m d P d e d an nd an ing ng g a s ing tur e ti l in c s u ch erti ufa anc n o ea v n n n ,s c T , ad ma d f tio es ng nd g an istra als ti is n ke ng a kin in utic n u r B a i n m M eer ba ad ace ctio , d gin ncy an arm stru HR n E nta ces ph on nd s c a e i ou erv and nd ent liti l c Ac lic s nce ty a itm uti etai b cie er cru and R s u P S rop Re gy tic 0% s i r P g e lo En nd a rt o p ns a Tr

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

To what extent to you agree with the following statement?

My university takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society

My students' union takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society

Universities should be obliged to develop student's social and environmental skills as part of their courses

Being a student at my university encourages me to think and act to help the environment, and other people 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

To what extent to you agree with the following statement?

Sustainable development is something which universities should actively incorporate and promote

Sustainable development is something which all university courses should actively incorporate and promote

Sustainable development is something which I would like to learn more about

Sustainable development is something all course tutors should be required to incorporate within their teaching 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Thinking about your time at university do you think the following issues have been covered in your teaching?

Cul tural di vers i ty and equal i ty Hea l th and wel l bei ng Huma n ri ghts Accountabi l i ty and ethi cs Corporate s oci a l res pons i bi l i ty / bus i nes s ethi cs Cl i mate change Soci al justice Cons umeri s m, gl oba l and ethi cal trade Wa ste, water, energy Rural and urba n devel opment Ci tizens hi p and democra cy Bi ol ogi ca l di vers i ty and nature Ecosystems and ecol ogi ca l pri nci pl es 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Has the university‌

Encouraged you to think and act to help the environment, and other people the most?

Acted to reduce it's negative impact on the environment and society the most?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%