Understanding white working-class female experiences of progression into a UK Russell Group Institution

Abstract

When looking at barriers to social mobility, the experience of white working-class females and the choices they make when applying to university is under-researched, though it is touched upon through intersections of gender, ethnicity and class. This paper presents findings from qualitative research with students who identified as white, working-class and female, studying at a London-based Russell Group university. It explores the barriers and enablers they experienced in making the decision to go to university. The analysis highlighted three factors: (1) Circumstances at home often influenced their decision, representing both barriers and motivators. (2) They experienced a lack of support from schools and support but minimal resources within their family. (3) Lack of self-belief merged with a desire to prove themselves influenced their actions. The findings of this research suggest that this group has needs and barriers which practitioners should consider when trying to encourage university participation. These include: strengthening support groups, articulating both the unusual journeys this group may take to university and the benefits of different journeys and courses in a salient way, helping them to feel like they belong at university before they start and encouraging them to ask for help.