First-in-family students make up a majority of young first- degree students yet face a number of challenges. So they are now the focus of many specific interventions in the UK and the USA. This report looks at the pros and cons of using first-in-family as a key measure of disadvantage.…
The Higher Education Policy Institute’s latest report, First-in-Family Students by Harriet Coombs (HEPI Report 146), finds most university students in the UK – just over two-thirds – can be classified ‘first-in-family’. It questions how useful the category is as an indicator for widening participation activities. The paper argues too much weight has…
This blog was contributed by Dionne Lee, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the University of Teesside. It seems counter-intuitive to suggest that we turn up the volume on levelling-up. In fact, there are many who would argue that the volume is already rather high – it is after all…
Professor Jane Robinson is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University. In HEPI’s most recent debate paper, One Nation University, Richard Brabner presents a timely and important challenge about the role universities can play to support a fairer society and stronger communities. As we look ahead to the much-anticipated…
This blog was kindly contributed by Andrew Connors, Head of Higher Education at Lloyds Bank (@LloydsBankBiz). As the dust settles from COP26 with a myriad of new climate commitments, many are still assessing what this means for them. This year’s COP was particularly important, in that it was the first…
This blog was contributed by Stacey Mottershaw, Lecturer and Faculty Director of Taught Student Social Mobility at Leeds University Business School. When reading David Woolley’s recent post on The pervasive belief in low aspirations could undermine the Government’s ‘reboot’ of widening the doors to higher education, exploring the Government’s intention…
This blog was contributed by Clare Marchant, UCAS Chief Executive. The 2021 UCAS End of Cycle data provides a strong indication of where the interests of the upcoming graduate and apprentice workforce lie. The proportion of all young people across the UK getting an undergraduate place is at record levels…
This blog was contributed by Jack Ruane, University League Manager at People & Planet. The 2021 People & Planet University League shows many higher education providers are taking positive steps, but the sector still has much to improve. The higher education sector must go beyond inadequate government targets and regulatory…
This blog was kindly contributed by Nick Chambers, CEO, the Education and Employers charity. Research just published in the USA reinforces findings from recent UK studies about who children meet in their day to day lives and the impact this has on their aspirations, future study paths, and long-term career…
This blog has been kindly contributed by Dr Diana Beech (@dianajbeech), Chief Executive Officer of London Higher – the representative body for over 40 universities and higher education colleges across London. Diana was previously the first Director of Policy and Advocacy at HEPI and served as Policy Advisor to the…