Student Aspiration Factors, University Reputation and the Entry Standards to UK Universities

The main aim of this study is to investigate the main internal capabilities that would affect the entry standards to UK universities. The study results are based on data collected from 100 universities in UK adapted from the Times Good University Guide 2004. Based on nine hypotheses, the study develops a model of entry standards to UK universities. To test the research hypotheses and predict the determinants of the UK universities entry standards, the OLS (Ordinary Least Square) regression is used. The findings of the study indicate that four hypotheses are supported, where a positive association was found between entry standards and the research assessment, first upper second, destination after graduation and efficiency of the study. The other internal capabilities were not found associated with the entry standards including the teaching assessment, staff/student ratio, library/computing and facilities spending, and the age of the university. The study implies that the reputation and the individual aspiration factors as the main predicators for higher entry standards. Implications for some UK universities are included.