This year 291 of you took part in the SOS Sustainability Skills Survey to let us know your priorities, attitudes, and interests. We’re now gearing up to take your responses on board and create positive change at UWE Bristol. 

You can read the results of the annual SOS Sustainability Skills survey here: Sustainability Exec SOS-UK Skills Survey Report 24-25.pptx  

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SURVEY: 

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN DECIDING WHICH UNIVERSITY TO APPLY FOR? 

Most important (Top 3) 

1. Employment prospects after completing the course – 87% 

2. Reputation on the course – 84% 

3. The cost of Study (e.g. course costs, location costs) - 82% 

Least Important (Bottom 3) 

1. How seriously the place of study takes its role in environmental issues – 54% 

2. How seriously the place of study takes its role in economic, political and cultural issues – 56% 

3. The position of the place of study in league tables – 61% 

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU BELEIVE YOUR COURSE HAVE COVERED? 

• 79.4% of students said they were ‘able to ask questions and think carefully about information where it comes from and if it is trustworthy, before forming opinions or solving problems.  

• 63% students said were ‘able to set clear goals and create complete step-by-step plan to achieve them effectively’  

• 57% were ‘able to think about how plans will affect different groups and communities and work to reduce any harm while increasing the benefits’  

• The smallest percentage was students who were ‘Able to think about how plans and actions will affect nature, and work to reduce any harm while increasing the benefits to it’ with only 48% saying their teaching experiences so far. However, this is an 8% increase compared to last year where 40% could ‘understand how human activity is affecting nature.’ 

HOW SUSTAINABLE DO YOU THINK UWE AND THE STUDENTS’ UNION ARE? 

• 75% of students agreed the Students’ Union at UWE takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society.  

• Only 1 student strongly disagreed with the statement – “My Students’ Union takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society”. 

• 83% of students agree UWE takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society.  

• There was a 4% increase compared to last year in the number of participants who strongly agreed that UWE takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society.  

WHEN CONSIDERING WHICH JOBS TO APPLY FOR IN THE FUTURE…. 

• The primary factor in job selection after university for participating students whether the role will provide them with a good work life balance (89% voted this was important).  

•  The following 4 most popular factors were as follows:  

2) A good starting salary.  

3) A role that’s related to my course. 

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

5) Opportunities to progress quickly.  

THE IMPACT THAT LEARNING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY HAS HAD ON YOU PERSONALLY: 

‘When you know more about the world, you start to see things in a different way therefore impacting your thoughts and actions’ 

‘I was majorly impacted by the health and wellbeing program. I learnt how to keep myself fit physically and mentally. It taught me patience and how to balance myself in adverse situations. This is a very important lesson to keep me going the rest of my life’ 

‘It has made me more inclined to teach children about these topics in primary school so that students are more aware of it from a younger age.’ 

‘I have changed a lot as a person since I’ve started studying at this university. I feel like these things should be taught in primary school.’ 

‘Cultural diversity and equality have made me appreciate humanity and improved my empathy towards a fellow human regardless of race.’ 

*If you are worried about the Climate Crisis, why not attend one of our Climate Chats and Cake sessions? You can find out when our next session is here. 

UWE’S SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY: 

If you’d like to know more about what UWE is doing to combat the climate emergency, you can read more about UWE’s 2030 targets and sustainability strategy here.