2024 Applicant Index

Driven by our research and student insight, we've prepared our best student welcome programme yet for the 2024/25 academic year.

Every year, Unite Students surveys university applicants for our Applicant Index. And every year, we’re surprised by the differences between applicant cohorts. If you want to be prepared for the first year students who will arrive into your city in the autumn, you won’t want to miss this episode – or the report that spawned it.

The Unite Students Applicant Index is the only research that tracks university applicants’ attitudes and confidence levels year on year, giving you the information you need to prepare for their arrival in autumn. The 2024 report is out now. So, here’s everything you need to know about the Applicant Index - and seven things you’ll want to know about this year’s incoming student cohort.

Joe Lister, Unite Students’ Chief Executive, shares his thoughts on our 2024 Applicant Index report – and how he’s seen some of the findings play out within his own family.