Nearly 90% students prioritise skills over degrees, reveals a survey

A college degree may still open doors, but students are increasingly looking at what they can actually do with their education. Practical skills, industry exposure and professional connections are gaining importance, with academic qualifications no longer being viewed as the only measure of career readiness. A survey has highlighted this changing approach to higher education. The study, which covered students from the university’s schools of design, business, technology and law, examined their career expectations, learning preferences and entrepreneurial ambitions. One of its key findings was that 88% of respondents considered skills important for their future careers. By comparison, 79% placed importance on industry networks and 61% valued having a portfolio of work. Only 27% selected degrees and academic grades as a priority.

The survey of over 2,000 students conducted by ATLAS SkillTech University suggests that students increasingly want their education to translate into demonstrable professional abilities, rather than being limited to obtaining a qualification.

Students want industry exposure during college


The demand for practical learning was also evident in students’ preferences for academic experiences. According to the survey, 66% of respondents preferred live industry projects, while 65% considered internships important learning opportunities. Traditional classroom learning was selected by 47% of students.

Students also want professional exposure much earlier in their academic journey. Around 44% said they wanted industry engagement from the first year itself, while nearly 87% wanted such exposure by the second year. Interestingly, just 1.6% preferred waiting until their fourth year for industry interaction. Students appear keen to understand how businesses operate, work on real assignments and gain professional experience before completing their degrees.

92% students want industry-linked AI learning

Artificial intelligence is another area influencing what students expect from universities. As AI tools increasingly find applications across industries, students are looking for opportunities to understand and use the technology in practical settings.

The survey found that 92% of respondents identified live industry projects and masterclasses as important ways to learn AI. This points towards an expectation that AI education should extend beyond theoretical lessons. Students want exposure to practical applications, industry use cases and opportunities to work with emerging technologies.

77% students interested in starting their own businesses

The survey also revealed considerable interest in entrepreneurship among college students. As many as 77% of respondents said they were interested in starting their own ventures. Among those with startup ambitions, 65% said they had already started building their businesses while studying at ATLAS SkillTech University.

Around 62% of aspiring entrepreneurs wanted industry mentorship, while 61% wanted opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs. Another 53% valued access to expert collaborators. Funding was identified as a priority by only 30% of respondents. Internships also emerged as the leading preference, followed by industry mentorship, student-led events and global exposure.

The survey findings underline the need for higher education institutions to rethink how they prepare students for professional careers. A degree remains an important academic qualification. However, students increasingly expect universities to combine classroom education with practical projects, industry interaction, technological training and opportunities to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.

The future of higher education will depend on how universities respond to industry and technological change, and how closely they understand the aspirations of the students they educate. By making student perspectives an integral part of academic decision-making, universities can create learning experiences that are more relevant, responsive and aligned with the demands of a changing world.