The comparatively low rates of higher education (HE) progression amongst young men from white, working class backgrounds has received a significant amount of attention in recent years, including from HEPI. This has been accompanied by calls for a ‘response’ from the HE sector. Although how best to react remains uncertain. Indeed, a survey of those working in widening access found that the aim of increasing levels of ‘HE participation’ amongst ‘white students from lower socio-economic groups’ represents ‘their biggest challenge.’ Given such uncertainty, and questions over the effectiveness of past interventions, a strong case can be made for more research into the ‘barriers to progression experienced’ by these young men.
In seeking to contribute to the evidence base, I was commissioned to conduct a study into the educational ambitions and motivations of young, white British males from five areas of educational and economic disadvantage across the North West of England. This blog reflects on some of the key findings to emerge from the research. Prominent amongst these findings were the views held by participants on higher education as a possible post-18 destination. These views were gathered using focus groups, with 70 young men aged between 14 and 17 taking part in these discussions. All were from schools and colleges whose catchments comprised neighbourhoods where few young people, and fewer than expected given level 2 (GCSE and equivalent) attainment, go onto university. The explanatory framework used in this study applied the concept of costs of participation to understand their HE reservations.
Although they came from a range of different communities across the NW and ranged in age, ‘many of the same doubts and concerns’ were expressed by participants. These included the direct costs of HE. Indeed, the ‘expense’ was described as ‘one of the biggest deterrents to going to university,’ with reference made to the potential for the financial consequences to be ‘overwhelming.’ Their concerns related not just to fees but also to the ability to ‘pay for food, clothes, bills [and] everything’ else.
