Students look for more than a degree when choosing a university

As thousands of prospective students prepare to visit Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland for Mānawa Mai Open Day on 29 August, they'll be considering much more than which degree to choose, says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, Professor Sarah Young.

While academic reputation remains important, Young says prospective students are increasingly considering the wider opportunities and experiences a university can offer.

"Students still want an academically excellent education, but they are also thinking about the bigger picture," says Young.

“They’re asking broader questions than they might have in the past. They want to understand the opportunities that could follow their studies, the experiences they'll have beyond the classroom, what university life will be like and whether they'll feel a sense of belonging."

Young says today’s students are making their university choice at a time of rapid change, which is influencing what they want from higher education.

“They know the world they're graduating into is changing quickly, so they're looking for more than subject knowledge alone.

“They’re thinking about the changing nature of work, the impact of technology, the cost of study and what they want from their university experience day-to-day.

“Students also recognise it’s no longer just about access to information. Information is plentiful. What they’re looking for is the ability to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

She says the real value of a university, therefore, is that it will help people develop skills that will remain valuable regardless of how careers and industries evolve.

“So that’s critical thinking, the ability to solve complex problems, to work with others and adapt to new challenges.”

Young says this is changing what students expect from higher education.

"Academic excellence is still essential, but that’s evolving as students seek more from their learning. They don’t want to be passive recipients of knowledge. They want active learning that is practical and collaborative and will equip them to navigate an increasingly complex world.

"Many of the jobs our students will go into, will look very different from those that exist today. Understandably, that’s why students are not only looking for a pathway into a career but also experiences that remain valuable throughout their working lives, even as technology and workplaces evolve.”

At the same time, Young says the broader university experience remains an important part of their decision where to enrol.

"Students also want opportunities to meet people, try new things and be part of a community.

Flexibility is becoming increasingly important, with many students balancing study alongside work and other commitments.

"Students expect universities to offer both flexibility and a strong campus experience, as they value the connection and belonging that comes from being part of a campus community.”

Last year, more than 10,000 prospective students and their whānau attended Mānawa Mai Open Day at the University's City and Grafton campuses, and registrations for the annual event, the University’s biggest recruitment and engagement day, are up 18 percent on 2025.

Young says Open Day reflects the increasingly broad range of factors students consider when choosing where to study.

"Ultimately, they're not simply choosing what they want to study. They're choosing a community and a set of opportunities that will help shape their future." 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith says Mānawa Mai Open Day is one of the highlights of the University calendar, and he is excited to attend for the first time in his new role.

“I’m really looking forward to our Mānawa Mai Open Day. I can still remember arriving here as a nervous 17-year-old: excited, but unsure where university might lead me.

"Discussions with staff opened my eyes to possibilities I had never considered and helped shape the direction my life took. That is what makes Mānawa Mai so special: for today’s students and their whānau, a conversation or experience on Saturday could open the door to a future they have not yet imagined."

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