Monitoring contemporary student flows and characteristics: secondary analyses using the Labour Force Survey and the General Household Survey

This paper examines trends in the participation in higher education by disa dvantaged social groups over the recent period of higher education expansio n and reform. It has been suggested that disadvantaged groups can recoup by participation at mature ages and this question is examined. The data sourc es used are the Labour Force Survey (1986-1995), which yielded 13384 studen ts (6747 men and 6637 women), and the General Household Survey (1984-1992), which yielded 1936 students (982 men and 954 women). From a perspective of equal opportunities, the relative participation of young people from manua l and non-manual origins does not appear to have changed over the period co nsidered, but there is some evidence of increased relative participation by people from manual class origins as mature students. Mature students from such origins were older than those from non-manual class origins, as were m ature women than mature men, with consequences for employability. From a pe rspective of lifelong learning, the recent expansion has been successful, w ith more entrants from the unemployed. Considerable percentages of women al so enter from full-time housework, and increasing percentages from manual w ork. However, as in the past, many entrants had been successful in becoming employed before entry, some being seconded by employers. Despite these cha nges, the greatest absolute take-up has been from middle class youth. Early employment outcomes were examined and suggest some discrimination against mature students. It is possible that the increased cost of higher education , in the context of an expanded labour market of graduates, may deter some mature students.