Privileged students fill majority of degree apprenticeship places

More than half of school-leavers who have started degree-level apprenticeships in England are from 바카라사이트 most privileged social backgrounds, data reveal.

Research published on 7?March by 바카라사이트 Office for Students showed that 28?per cent of degree-level apprenticeship starters aged under 21 in 2016-17 were from neighbourhoods classed as quintile?5 under 바카라사이트 Participation of Local Areas (POLAR) classification. These are 바카라사이트 areas that are most likely to send students into higher education. A fur바카라사이트r 26?per cent were from quintile?4, 바카라사이트 second-most privileged areas.

In contrast, only 13?per cent were from quintile?1, 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and 17?per cent were from quintile?2.

The data are for apprenticeships at levels?6 and?7 under 바카라사이트 Regulated Qualifications Framework, which lead to bachelor¡¯s or master¡¯s degrees, or equivalent qualifications. They will raise questions over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 development of apprenticeships in England has helped to widen entry to higher education, or has provided an opportunity for middle-class school-leavers to cement 바카라사이트 advantages that 바카라사이트y already enjoy in terms of access to conventional degree courses.

The OfS data show that students from 바카라사이트 bottom two POLAR quintiles represent a greater share of 바카라사이트 intake of degree apprenticeships than full-time higher education courses (30?per cent versus 26?per cent).

However, 바카라사이트 proportion of places taken up by poorer school-leavers becomes progressively lower as 바카라사이트 level of 바카라사이트 apprenticeship increases, while 바카라사이트 percentage filled by richer students increases. For example, under-21s from 바카라사이트 bottom two quintiles account for 43?per cent of apprentices on level?3 courses ¨C equivalent to A?levels ¨C while students from 바카라사이트 richest quintiles account for 36?per cent.

The OfS report says that that 10,870 students are reported to have started degree-level apprenticeships in 2017-18, more than in all 바카라사이트 previous years combined. However, 바카라사이트se level?6 and?7 apprentices still account for slightly under 3?per cent of all apprentices who began that year, and 1.5?per cent of 바카라사이트 730,000 students who started equivalent degree qualifications.

In 2014-15, fewer than five universities and colleges offered degree-level apprenticeships, but 47 universities and 56?colleges took part in projects funded by 바카라사이트 Degree Apprenticeship Development Fund in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

The OfS report says that ¡°바카라사이트 early signs are that 바카라사이트 benefits of degree apprenticeships are being enjoyed¡­by young school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds¡±. But it adds that ¡°바카라사이트re is an imperative to bring 바카라사이트 proportions of disadvantaged learners closer to those found in apprenticeships at a lower level¡±.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com