In January 2007 HEPI produced a report “Vocational A levels and university entry: is there parity of esteem?” that considered whether students with different level 3 qualifications progressed to higher education at different rates. The report concluded that students from vocational backgrounds as a whole were not underrepresented in higher education when their prior educational achievement was taken into account. Specifically, a student with VCE A levels or GNVQs progressed to higher education at about the same rate as a student with GCE A levels who had achieved at a similar level at GCSE. This new report, which was generously sponsored by the City and Guilds of London Institute, examines the issue in further detail and is concerned in particular with the different experiences both within and on leaving higher education of those who enter with academic and with vocational qualifications.
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