The report looks at the impact activity levels have on higher education student wellbeing, social inclusion, skill development and perceived attainment and employability. The findings are informed by 7,740 respondents, including both active and inactive students from 145 universities and colleges across the UK. This report builds on findings from the 2019-20 British Active Student Survey (BASS).
In the report, we explore findings in the following areas:
- Activity levels by demographic: We give an overview of how demographics such as gender, ethnicity and others impact activity levels.
- Who's taking part in university sports clubs: We do a deep dive to understand the national picture of university sports club members.
- Trends in the commuter and international student populations: There is a special focus on these two important groups, looking at their demographics, activity levels and experiences.
- Wellbeing: We outline the correlation between activity levels and wellbeing metrics, including personal wellbeing, mental wellbeing, social inclusion and loneliness. We also look at the impact of sports volunteering on these metrics.
- Perceived attainment and employment: We explore how activity levels impact on perceived student attainment and employment.
- Choice of institution: We review what value prospective students put on sport when choosing a higher education institution.
In a financially difficult time for higher education institutions, we hope that these findings will support institutions to demonstrate the value of sport for student outcomes.
Amanda Broderick, BUCS Chair of the Board of Directors, said, “I would like to thank all those institutions and students that have supported this edition of the Student Active Wellbeing survey, and commend the findings shared in this report.
As a University Vice Chancellor I am acutely aware of both the financial challenges facing higher education in the UK, and of the array of challenges facing our students including rising cases of mental ill health and the impact of the cost of living.
This survey demonstrates the power and potential of sport, active wellbeing and participation to combat these twin challenges, and adds further weight to the body of research that evidences students with higher levels of health and wellbeing achieve higher academic results. At the University of East London we have recognised this by making health gain as a prerequisite of learning gain a primary objective of our institutional strategy.
Whether it is active campus initiatives, improved access to gyms, or informal or formal sport, the results of this survey should further encourage institutions to place the health and wellbeing of students at the heart of university strategy.”
Will Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at BUCS said “Students make up a significant proportion of the UK population and as such, it is critical that all of us concerned with the health and prosperity of the nation better understand the views of students with regards active wellbeing.
Through this Active Wellbeing Survey, BUCS has gained insight into the views of a broad range of students from across the UK helping us to understand how they perceive wellbeing in relation to their health, happiness and productivity whilst at university. Students recognise that active wellbeing - whether through sport, attending the gym or taking part in recreational activities – plays an important role in supporting their performance, as indicated by their perceived attainment and employability.
It is our hope that decision-makers within higher education can recognise in these results the fundamental role that sport and active participation plays in a happy, healthy and high performing student. These are outcomes we surely all want for as many students as possible and supports the business case for the provision of active wellbeing and participation opportunities on campus for students.”
Stew Fowlie, COO of Scottish Student Sport, said "SSS is delighted to have teamed up with BUCS on this important project, the results of which evidence the importance of sport and active wellbeing to various key aspects of student life.
It is clear that, by investing in active campuses and organised activity, institutions can help their students do better physically, mentally, socially and academically - creating a sense of belonging that can otherwise be hard to find.
There remains a need to better understand the inactive student population and to enable their easy engagement with sport and active wellbeing. A holistic approach to this is vital, and we look forward to supporting work to achieve that goal.
Regular activity must increasingly be seen not as a nice-to-have, but as a key priority within modern campus life. We therefore urge leaders in colleges and universities to place sport and active wellbeing at the centre of every student's experience. In so doing, campuses can become ever more vibrant, inclusive, and salutogenic places - much to the benefit of students, staff and the wider community."
The full report and infographic can be found below.
SAWS Report 2024_2025 FINAL-compressed.pdf
SAWS 2024-25 Infographic.pdf
