Widening participation in higher education: constructions of "going to university"

Progress towards the British Government's goal of 50% of young people undertaking higher education has been slow, particularly among pupils from working-class backgrounds. This study examines the range of viewpoints held by 53 Year 12 pupils in a former coalfield area, all of whom were eligible to apply for university. Each completed a Q-sort on 60 statements concerning "going to university". By-person factor analysis yielded five viewpoints termed "positive", "put off", "perplexed", "pragmatic" and "other plans". Detailed analysis of these viewpoints provides new insights and practical implications for raising educational aspirations in disadvantaged areas.