White Working Class Males in British Higher Education
‘ University is open to everyone ’
Most year 10 / year 11 ( FG2 ) participants felt that university was open to everyone – they tempered this by saying that it was possible for most people if they worked hard and got the required grades . Most also felt that they would cope well at university though they shared more nuanced feelings about this :
I don ’ t know if I ’ ll cope as I don ’ t like crowds .
I ’ m nervous about presentations . I like learning and think it ’ ll be ok .
Most of the 6 th Form students ( FG3 and FG4 ) felt that university was open to everyone emphasising that they felt that if someone really wanted to go then they could :
“ I don ’ t know anyone who ’ s gone . It could be welcoming but I ’ m from a council estate and I could feel out of place .”
--focus group participant
If I really want to go , to make it , I can .
However , several felt that this was not the case . A couple felt that university might not suit some people and also that some people might be prevented from attending for personal reasons :
You may not be good at working in the way that university requires . People may have personal issues at home e . g . you may have to look after your mom .
Some felt that university was not open due to inequality of educational opportunity . These learners appeared to be aware of the impact of background on HE progression :
They will accept an application from anyone but it doesn ’ t mean you ’ ll get in . There isn ’ t equal opportunity , even though we say there ’ s free education , some schools give a much better education and if you ’ re in the North of England the schools aren ’ t as good .
It ’ s not just about the grades , some universities want a certain sort of person with a certain background . It doesn ’ t mean that every university will say no though – different universities want different sorts of people . Some are just interested in the grades , intelligence and others look at the sort of person , like if you ’ re determined . If you ’ re from a working class background you might not apply .
In addition , most of the 6 th Form learners felt that university would be hard work and would bring a lot of pressure , but they varied in terms of how they individually responded to this . Some participants felt , to varying degrees , that they would cope with the work at university :
It will be really tough but if I put my mind to it I can do it .
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Some were more neutral and some felt unsure : I don ’ t know if I could cope , until I try I won ’ t know .
I don ’ t know yet if I want to go – if I decide that I want to , that it ’ s the best thing then I think I will be able to cope .