Thread by @JohnnySRich

@seainclusion @Positivteacha There is plenty of research showing a significant earnings premium on average for graduates regardless of background. This is probably the most comprehensive work: ifs.org.uk/publications/8…

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust has also done many excellent studies on different aspects of this question which is actually a lot more complex than it sounds.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust The research shows that the graduate premium for those from disadvantaged backgrounds is indeed smaller than for those from more affluent families, but it is very hard to unpick this from other factors.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust Disadvantaged studnts are more likely to have lower grades on entry to HE. (As a result) they’re less likely to go to highly selective unis. They’re more likely to do ‘vocational’ courses, imagining they’ve better employmt outcomes, but unless for a specific route, it’s arguable.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust Disadvantaged students are more likely to have part-time jobs while studying, which are less likely to be career-related. Obviously this is about financial survival, but has an affect on studies and general well-being.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust They’re less likely to engage in co-curricular activities at uni that boost employability, probably because of pressures of time money and previous habits given lack of opportunities.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust Disadvantaged students are more likely to live at home, which introduces a whole range of other effects from lower social and academic engagement to care duties for relatives.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust There are also intersections between disadvantaged students and ethnicity, age, disability etc, all of which have their own set of impacts on the graduates employment outcomes.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS study and others highlight very significant differences in the salary premium from some courses and institutions. Some courses at some unis have a negative premium, ie. those graduates do less well than nongrads. They are the exception and beware jumping to conclusions.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS That small set of courses with nigative premiums tend to be in parts of the country where earnings are low anyway. Those grads are probably earning more than nongrads in the area.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS The unis where those courses are also usually have a larger proportion of disadvantaged, local & mature students, so hard to say whether it’s the course that’s not getting them a premium or other factors. They may have a big premium compared to what they’d have earnt otherwise.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS Imagine a poorer student in poor area whose choice is not to go to uni & take whatever work they can get or go to uni after which, if they stay local, they still earn less than nongrads in London, but earn more than they would have doing a more rewarding job with more prospects.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS I’d call that a graduate premium, by anyone’s standards.

That’s another important point: what does a good outcome look like? Are we just talking about bigger salaries? Some people wd rather be nurses than bankers.

The happiness premium is, I’d say, more important than salary.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS There’s research showing grads are more likely to live longer, less likely to smoke, more likely to report job satisfaction (and less likely to support Brexit) - all positives in my book.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS There are ways of achieving similar outcomes without the cost of uni: degree apprenticeships have been touted as a great opportunity for disadvantaged students to get a degree and work experience without debts.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS They haven’t been going long enough to see the outcomes yet and evidence suggests it’s not disadvantaged students taking up those opportunities yet anyway.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS In summary, the research shows disadvantaged students DO gain hugely from higher education in salary, living standards and happiness. For many it is the only real opportunity for transformation. But higher ed alone does not wipe out society’s inequalities.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS I would never advise any disadvantaged young person not to go to uni if they think they might gain from it, nor would I pressure someone if they can’t see the point for themselves. Maybe they will one day and, I hope, the opportunity will still be there.

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS You may also be interested in this book by @Duncan_Exley policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-end-of-asp…

@seainclusion @Positivteacha @suttontrust @TheIFS @threadreaderapp unroll