Of those who study a higher education preparatory programme, 85 percent of the women and 77 percent of the men have plans to study further. The interest for higher education is greatest among students who study the Natural Science Programme, at 93 percent. In this group there is no significant difference between the sexes.

Of those who study a vocational programme, 38 percent of the women and 14 percent of the men have plans to study further. The difference between the sexes is thus greater among the students enrolled in vocational programmes than it is among the students enrolled in higher education preparatory programmes.

Lund and Gothenburg most popular universities

As has been the case in the past ten years' surveys, the universities at Lund and Gothenburg are the most popular universities among the upper secondary school graduates. Uppsala University and Stockholm University are also popular.

The main reason that students choose a particular school is the quality of education. Other reasons are because the school has a good reputation or that it is close to home. The distance to home is more important for women than it is for men.

Women choose social sciences and men technology or natural science

Social sciences and economics are the most popular educational orientations among women. Men prefer technology and natural science, but economics is also popular. About 10 percent of the women and 30 percent of the men wish to study technology or natural science as a first choice. Almost 20 percent of the women wish to study social sciences compared to 10 percent of the men.

To study health care or to study to be a teacher is more popular among the students enrolled in vocational programmes than it is among the students who study higher education preparatory programmes.

Those who do not want to study within three years want to work instead

15 percent of the women and 34 percent of the men have no plans to start university studies within the next three years. The most common reasons that students do not want to continue their studies are because they would rather work and/or are tired of studying.

Almost half of those who study a higher education preparatory programme wish to study at a university/institute of higher education later, but not within the next three years. This can be compared to one in ten of those who study a vocational programme. For almost one in five of those enrolled in a vocational programme, one reason that they do not plan to study further is that they are not qualified to enter higher education studies. Approximately one in ten report that they have not been offered the courses required for eligibility to higher education.

A more detailed report of this survey is published in a Theme Report.