DIGITAL ARCHIPELAGO

‘Study on University Students in Spain (2003)’

Economy and Society

Public Opinion Research

2003

Numerous studies have been made into the common traits and experiences of young Spaniards, yet few have focused on a differentiated segment of the youth population; namely university students.

In an increasingly knowledge-based society, the university students of today will shortly form the largest single professional segment. Knowing their opinions and values is important for two reasons:
– Values change in the course of a lifetime, but those acquired during youth are especially resilient, especially when the framework is an institution like the university.
– Knowing their current views and expectations can serve as an input for institutional responses tailored to the demands of a key university public.

DIRECTOR

Rafael Pardo Avellaneda

RESEARCH TEAM

Unidad de Estudios Sociales y Opinión Pública-Fundación BBVA.

DESCRIPTION

This study on Spanish university students, whose design and analysis are the work of the BBVA Foundation?s Public Opinion Research Unit , provides a differentiated picture according to 1) branch of knowledge (arts, social sciences and law, experimental sciences, health sciences and technical degrees), and 2) type of centre (public or private).

The information gathered is organised into three large sections:

How they see the university, i.e. their impressions of and satisfaction with their degree course and university. This section also describes the study habits predominating among the student body.

How they see their personal lives: including a wide range of indicators concerning their expectations for the future, the obstacles they perceive, their interest in different topics, attitudes towards science and politics, involvement in associations or groups, lifestyles and outside interests.

How they see society and the world: this section provides information on how students see Spanish society, plus their attitudes to the European Union and the rest of the world, and to the immigration question.