72% of young people report university aspirations

Nearly three-quarters of young people believe they will continue into higher education, according to new research.

A survey of students aged between 11 and 16 conducted by the Sutton Trust - which aims to increase university access for under-represented groups - reveals that the number of respondents who believe it is fairly or very likely they will have a university education is the highest since the study began in 2003.

However, the findings also indicated that many students did not believe they were sufficiently informed about higher-education options by their teachers, with 40% saying they were getting little or no information.

Sir Peter Lampl, Chairman of the Sutton Trust, said that the figures were 'encouraging', but suggested that 'more support' should be offered to encourage those from disadvantaged backgrounds to follow through with their aspirations.

'Today's findings are a further reminder that support and guidance about higher education needs to start early on,' he commented.