White Working Class Males in British Higher Education: Pre and post-entry perspectives

This report brings together findings from two research projects commissioned in support of the Southern Universities Network (SUN), which seek to explore the disadvantage experienced by white working class males in relation to their progression into higher education. The pre-entry study, undertaken by ARC Network and co -ordinated by Southampton Solent University, sought to examine the perceptions, barriers and enablers to HE progression from the perspective of white working class learners in schools/colleges across the city of Southampton. The post - entry research, undertaken by the University of Portsmouth, explored the participation of white working class men within an institutional context, with a particular focus on examining higher education entry and aspirations of current HE learners. The study therefore offers a unique understanding of white working class males across the both pre and post entry phase.

The two research projects took a similar methodological approach. Both used mixed methods, engaging young white males through both an online survey and through focus group discussions between October and December 2016. The resulting report is structured in a way that the pre -entry and post -entry findings remain distinct although a joint section on implications and recommendations is presented.

It is hoped that the findings from these two research projects will support member s of the SUN Network, and other HEI providers , to improve the planning and delivery of both institutional and collaborative widening participation programmes thus increasing the number of white working class males progressing onto and through higher education.