Working-class males ‘least likely’ to go to uni

White boys from lower-income families are ‘significantly under-represented’ in higher education, according to research from the National Audit Office (NAO).

The NAO’s report says that, despite the focus government has put on widening participation in universities, social class is still one of the biggest factors determining whether an individual goes to university or not. The most important overall factor remains grades achieved at school.

White working-class men are now the least likely to attend university, with those from non-white ethnic backgrounds better represented than white people.

The NAO also found that universities in the Russell Group – which includes institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial – have made the least progress in widening participation. By contrast, the newer, post-1992 universities accept more students from under-represented areas.

Wes Streeting, NUS president said:

“The so-called ‘elite’ institutions which perform below their benchmarks on widening participation are simultaneously lobbying for significant increases in student fees. Vice chancellors should address these widening participation issues before reaching for their begging bowls again."

The NAO noted that some students and potential students do not fully understand the different types of financial support available to them. It suggested that the government should create a source of information to help applicants from under-represented groups specifically. Streeting added:

“NUS also believes there should be a single source of student support to ensure that individuals can access the finance they are entitled to, rather than navigating the current bursary maze in which too many of those in need lose out."