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First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university

Hunt, C; Collins, B; Wardrop, A; Hutchings, M; Heaslip, V; Pritchard, C

First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university Thumbnail


Authors

C Hunt

A Wardrop

M Hutchings

V Heaslip

C Pritchard



Abstract

Challenges for students who are ?first in family? to attend university have been discussed within widening participation discourse. However, in the UK, ?first in family? or first-generation students have frequently been conflated with those experiencing poverty or from lower socio-economic groups. This research integrated survey data with assessment data from final-year design and engineering students in a UK university to examine students? attainment, the influences on why students decide to attend university, and students? experiences during their degree programmes. Analysis of the data showed variations in the reasons for first- and second-generation students wanting to go to university, particularly a significant difference in the influence of parents. First-generation students described significantly less parental influence on the decision to attend university than second- or subsequent-generation students. Smaller differences in students? experiences and attainment in university were also noted. While first-generation students reported differences in study habits, their attainment was, on average, marginally higher than that of their peers. Building on others? theoretical work, which suggests the importance of social capital within higher education, this research highlights the difference in social influences both on university application and expectations of university for those with and without a family history of tertiary education. Further research is needed to explore, in larger samples, whether the social influences on an individual?s perception of higher education are in turn shaped by whether or not their parents attended university, and further, what impact this may have, not only on degree outcomes but on the broader benefits typically associated with graduate experience.

Citation

Hunt, C., Collins, B., Wardrop, A., Hutchings, M., Heaslip, V., & Pritchard, C. (2018). First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university. Higher Education Research and Development, 37(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 11, 2017
Online Publication Date Jun 28, 2017
Publication Date Jan 1, 2018
Deposit Date Jul 9, 2020
Publicly Available Date Jul 9, 2020
Journal Higher Education Research and Development
Print ISSN 0729-4360
Electronic ISSN 1469-8366
Publisher Routledge
Volume 37
Issue 1
Pages 30-43
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607
Keywords attainment; fair access; first in family; social capital; widening participation
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607
Related Public URLs http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cher20/current
Additional Information Additional Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Higher Education Research and Development on 28 June 2017, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607
Access Information : This output is also available at: http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29387/

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