How can universities prepare for Generation Alpha?

By 2028, the first wave of Generation Alpha students will enter higher education. Born into a world of ubiquitous smartphones, AI tools, and algorithm-driven content, they represent a fundamental shift in how young people engage with technology, and by extension, how they will expect to engage with education itself.

In partnership with The Insights Family, AppsAnywhere conducted original research with 423 young people aged 12–16 across the UK, supported by proprietary data from over 2,000 additional respondents. Our aim was to understand how Generation Alpha engages with technology today and how those habits are likely to shape their expectations of university life. This article explores some of the key findings from that research, with further insight and strategic recommendations available in the full report.

1. What are the defining characteristics of Generation Alpha’s technology use?

Generation Alpha are the first cohort to grow up entirely in the digital age. Their experience of technology is not limited to passive consumption but extends to creation, interaction, and learning. Mobile phones are their most widely used devices (84% ownership), and video content dominates their digital consumption, particularly on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Importantly, their engagement with technology is not without reflection. While 65% already use or plan to use AI tools in the near future, 67% also express concerns about the negative impact of technology - including issues of distraction, screen time, and online safety. This nuanced relationship with digital tools challenges the common narrative of blind tech enthusiasm and suggests a more sophisticated digital awareness than might be assumed.

For higher education institutions, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to create digital environments that not only align with students’ expectations for ease, speed, and access, but also to demonstrate ethical responsibility ,security, and adaptability.

2. How is current educational technology shaping their expectations of university?

Today’s school-aged learners are already familiar with digital platforms as integral parts of their education. Nearly 80% report using at least one educational app regularly, and a significant proportion are already engaging with online learning platforms, submitting homework digitally, and accessing materials via personal devices.

While traditional, hands-on learning still holds value (60% report a preference for it), digital tools are increasingly seen as essential complements: 94% believe that technology supports different learning styles, and 92% believe it facilitates independent learning.

The implications for higher education are clear. Students are arriving with expectations of flexible, user-friendly, and mobile-optimised digital infrastructure. Multi-device access, integration across platforms, and intuitive interfaces are no longer optional extras. They are baseline requirements.

3. What does Generation Alpha expect from higher education?

Encouragingly, 71% of Gen Alpha respondents express a desire to pursue higher education, which is significantly higher than current participation rates for 18-year-olds in the UK. However, they will arrive with a markedly different set of expectations from previous generations.

They anticipate:

• ‍Flexible learning models: Over half (56%) expect a hybrid approach to education as standard.‍
• Device provision: 92% expect universities to provide laptops or tablets - whether for loan, use, or ownership.‍
• Reliable digital infrastructure: High-speed, campus-wide Wi-Fi, easy access to learning materials, and seamless user experiences are viewed as essential.

Furthermore, this cohort is entering education with a strong sense of how technology shapes their future. They associate digital literacy with career readiness, and they will look to universities not just to deliver academic content, but to provide the tools and skills necessary to navigate an increasingly digital workforce.

4. Strategic considerations for universities

The arrival of Generation Alpha offers higher education institutions an opportunity to rethink how they design and deliver education in a digital and mobile-first context. While the temptation may be to treat this as a long-term issue, the data suggests that the behaviours shaping these expectations are already well established and they are not exclusive to the incoming generation.

In practical terms, this means:

• Reinforcing digital equity through device provision schemes and support for diverse access needs.
• Prioritising mobile optimisation across all platforms, from learning management systems to student portals.
• Investing in infrastructure that can support high levels of concurrent usage, especially for AI-driven or multimedia-rich tools.
• Embedding digital literacy and AI fluency across the curriculum, not only for students, but also for teaching and IT staff.

At AppsAnywhere, we are already working with institutions across the sector to support this transition, whether through enabling seamless software delivery to personal devices, supporting Bring Your Own Device strategies, or enhancing the accessibility of complex applications. Our goal is to remove the technical barriers that stand in the way of meaningful digital learning experiences.

Conclusion

Generation Alpha’s relationship with technology is complex, informed, and rapidly evolving. They will arrive at university expecting a digital environment that matches, if not exceeds, the ease and sophistication of their current experience. Institutions that understand and respond to these expectations stand to benefit not only in terms of student recruitment and satisfaction but in long-term digital resilience.

To explore the full findings of our research and prepare for the future of higher education, download the full report.