Students’ views on controversial topics often mirror those of the general public, despite concerns from some quarters that universities are creating a “woke snowflake” generation, according to new polling.
The data also suggests that the Green Party is the most popular political party among students – with 8 per cent backing Reform.
The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) polled 1,018 undergraduates aged 18 to 21 for their views on a range of topics, including abortion, a wealth tax and reparations for the slave trade.
On several issues, including the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, capital punishment and the Israel-Gaza war, it found that students’ views were broadly in line with those of the general public.
For example, although 50 per cent of students thought Israel’s response to the 7 October attacks was “indefensible”, a comparable 45 per cent of the public said it was “not justified”.
