This paper compares occupational attainment among mature graduates, both ma
le and female, from working-class origins with outcomes for mature graduate
s from middle-class origins. Data from the General Household Survey, (1982-
1992) was used yielding 4265 male and 2869 female early graduates, 700 male
, and 448 female, mature graduates. It was found that proportionately more
people from working-class than middle-class origins study as adults than at
the school leaving stage. Nonetheless, mature graduates from middle-class
origins still outnumber those from working-class origins. However, it was f
ound that people from working-class origins had increased their take-up of
higher education as mature students over time and are reaching parity with
people from middle-class origins. Working-class mature graduates are more l
ikely to have studied in less prestigious institutions and at an older age
than middle-class mature graduates, although the effects are small. These c
haracteristics were associated with lesser occupational attainment. Working
-class mature graduates are similar to middle-class mature graduates in app
earing to have the faster promotion rates than early graduates, thus making
up some initial career disadvantage.