University access and after : explaining the social composition of degree programmes and the contrasting expectations of students
Troiano i Gomà, Helena (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Sociologia)
Elias, Marina (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Sociologia)

Date:	2013
Abstract:	University expansion in higher education has been hierarchically differentiated. There is some concentration of certain social profiles in some degrees of study, so social composition between degrees can vary considerably. This article describes in terms of social composition 10 degrees of four public universities in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. We analyse 857 questionnaires filled in by mid-career students. From the perspective of agent's decision on the choice of studies, we explore what were the factors that made them choose a concrete degree. We examine several variables that can indicate whether their expectations have been met or not. The results show that the factors predicted by the theory by which working-class (WC) students choose degrees-instrumental motivations and conditions that minimize the risk-are often met. In this regard, the recent structural reform related with the implementation of the European Higher Education Area that removes short- cycles degrees (3 years) could lead to a problem of access for WC students.
Grants:	Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad PN6/CSO2008-02812
Note:	Background of INCASI Project H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015 GA 691004. WP1: Compilation
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Igualtat d'oportunitats educatives ; Universitats ; Admissió ; Classe treballadora ; Condicions socials ; Higher education ; Access to university ; Working-class ; University differentiation ; Espai Europeu d'Educació Superior
Published in:	Higher education, Vol. 67, Num. 5 (2013) , p. 637-654, ISSN 0018-1560

Adreça alternativa: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10734-013-9670-4
DOI: 10.1007/s10734-013-9670-4

Postprint 16 p, 451.1 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > Research Group Education and Work (GRET)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles