Longitudinal study of changing inspirations and aspirations of first-year students before and after the Covid-19 pandemic

This longitudinal study investigates the evolving inspirations and aspirations of first-year undergraduate students in Biosciences and Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University over a five-year period (2018–2023). Students submitted reflective essays during Welcome Week, detailing their motivations for choosing their course and future career goals. Thematic analysis identified six recurring themes: named career, work experience, further study, experience of disease, outreach experience and Covid-19. While most themes remained stable over time, Covid-19 emerged in 2020 and peaked in 2021. Bivariate analysis revealed that Asian/Asian British and Black/Black British students were more likely to cite named careers as an aspiration for study, whilst marginalised ethnic groups were more likely to aspire to further study than their White/White British peers. The findings highlight the importance of aligning curriculum content with students’ career goals and further study aspirations to enhance engagement and motivation. Recommendations include embedding diverse career pathways into course content, supporting progression into postgraduate study, and expanding outreach and work experience opportunities.