Young People in Scotland Survey 2019 - course choice in senior phase: report

1. Key Findings

This report presents data from Ipsos MORI's Young People in Scotland Survey 2019 on the choices young people make about their subjects/courses within school. The report shows that when making choices with regard to Senior Phase, enjoying a subject was the most common factor for young people. However, factors influencing course choice varies by socio-economic background. For example, young people from more deprived areas are more likely to be influenced by parents and teachers, than young people from less deprived areas; whereas young people from less deprived areas are more likely to say that they are influenced by what subjects they enjoy and what they need for college or university. Females are more likely to choose courses based on going to college or university than males, conversely males are more likely to choose subjects based on parental advice than females. Young people are unlikely to list friends as an important factor when making course choices.