More than 33 per cent of high school students have a marked preference for business and commerce subjects at university, followed 25.2 per cent who favour engineering and computer science subjects, said a report.

The online survey conducted by University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) took into consideration views of 1,653 high school students from more than 100 schools in the UAE. The respondents came from 58 different nationalities, aged between 15 and 26 years.

According to the survey, 33 per cent of the respondents said there were very interested in business, management, accounting, finance, human resources and related commerce subjects; while 25.2 per cent said they were keen on engineering, computer science, information systems, software engineering and related subjects.

Biological and health sciences were favoured by just 7.4 per cent of the respondents, while arts and fine arts by 7.3 per cent and social sciences and psychology by mere 3.8 per cent.

“The survey provides insights into the preferences and changed mindset of the new generation,” said Raymi van der Spek, executive director of Administration & Strategic Development at UOWD.

“It will help us improve and strengthen our existing programs, as well as guide us to introduce new programs as part of our diversification and expansion plans.”

As for the choice of undergraduate programmes, Bachelor of Business Administration emerged at the top: (56  per cent), followed by B Com in international business (45.3 per cent); B Com in management (44.7 per cent); B Com in marketing (42.7 per cent); accountancy, finance and HR management.

In computer science and engineering, the most popular was Bachelor in Internet Science and Technology (42.2 per cent), followed by Computer Science (39.7 per cent) and Computer Science and Multimedia Technology (37.9 per cent).

In mass media and communications programme, which is sought to be introduced by UOWD shortly, journalism emerged at the top (61.9 per cent), followed by public relations  (57.1 per cent), media studies (47.6 per cent) and professional writing (23.8 per cent).

When asked about Psychology (which UOWD seeks to introduce after due assessment), as an optional subject, the majority of respondents said they would at least try the subject.

The survey further revealed that the key factors that would influence their selection of the university would be quality of university staff and quality of student life and fun activities, followed by reputation of the university and Location.

In postgraduate programs, Master of Business Administration (MBA) took the top place (45.7 per cent), followed by International Business (39 per cent), Strategic HR Management (30.5 per cent), IT Management (30.5 per cent) and PhD in Business Administration (30 per cent).

Mass Media & Communications was the choice of 29.8 per cent, followed by Quality Management (28.8 per cent), Applied Finance and Banking (28.3 per cent), Strategic Marketing (26.3 per cent) and Doctorate Business Administration (25.1 per cent).

According to the survey, 67.7 per cent of the respondents said they planned to attend university, with 34 per cent of them preferring to enrol in a UAE university. – TradeArabia News Service