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Top universities accused of BTec snobbery Top universities accused of BTec snobbery
(9 days later)
Poorer and ethnic minority students who take vocational qualifications are missing out on college places
Michael Savage
Sun 28 Jan 2018 00.05 GMTSun 28 Jan 2018 00.05 GMT
First published on Sat 27 Jan 2018 14.49 GMTFirst published on Sat 27 Jan 2018 14.49 GMT
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Top universities have been accused of “institutional snobbery” for failing to recognise vocational qualifications increasingly used by poorer teenagers as a route to higher education.Top universities have been accused of “institutional snobbery” for failing to recognise vocational qualifications increasingly used by poorer teenagers as a route to higher education.
Almost half of white working-class and black British students in England are now reaching university with qualifications such as BTecs, according to new research from the Social Market Foundation thinktank. However, some of Britain’s most prestigious universities still fail to recognise the qualification. Campaigners warn that it creates a barrier to entry for disadvantaged students and acts as a brake on social mobility.Almost half of white working-class and black British students in England are now reaching university with qualifications such as BTecs, according to new research from the Social Market Foundation thinktank. However, some of Britain’s most prestigious universities still fail to recognise the qualification. Campaigners warn that it creates a barrier to entry for disadvantaged students and acts as a brake on social mobility.
New figures reveal that the number of school-age students studying for at least one BTec tripled between 2006 and 2014 to 150,000. Across England, 44% of white working-class children who make it to university have at least one BTec, according to the SMF.New figures reveal that the number of school-age students studying for at least one BTec tripled between 2006 and 2014 to 150,000. Across England, 44% of white working-class children who make it to university have at least one BTec, according to the SMF.
Its research also found 48% of black British students accepted to university have at least one BTec qualification, and 37% enter with only BTec qualifications. Some universities fail to mention BTec entry requirements on their course pages and entry guides, or place very narrow limits on when they will be considered. Others actively refuse to consider BTecs. Imperial College also says that it does not accept the BTec.Its research also found 48% of black British students accepted to university have at least one BTec qualification, and 37% enter with only BTec qualifications. Some universities fail to mention BTec entry requirements on their course pages and entry guides, or place very narrow limits on when they will be considered. Others actively refuse to consider BTecs. Imperial College also says that it does not accept the BTec.
Cambridge University says: “BTecs don’t provide an appropriate preparation for most Cambridge courses, where the emphasis is more academic than vocational. As such, these qualifications can’t, unless otherwise stated, be used to replace the required or highly desirable A-level subjects listed for each course.” Oxford University says that it will consider BTecs and other vocational qualifications and “welcomes” applications based on them.Cambridge University says: “BTecs don’t provide an appropriate preparation for most Cambridge courses, where the emphasis is more academic than vocational. As such, these qualifications can’t, unless otherwise stated, be used to replace the required or highly desirable A-level subjects listed for each course.” Oxford University says that it will consider BTecs and other vocational qualifications and “welcomes” applications based on them.
The SMF is calling on ministers and the newly established Office for Students to intervene to help those studying vocational qualifications to gain access to higher education.The SMF is calling on ministers and the newly established Office for Students to intervene to help those studying vocational qualifications to gain access to higher education.
The SMF examined data on students accepted to higher education in 2016 who did a BTec, an A-level or a combination of the two for its Vocation, Vocation, Vocation report.The SMF examined data on students accepted to higher education in 2016 who did a BTec, an A-level or a combination of the two for its Vocation, Vocation, Vocation report.
As well as revealing that those with BTecs were more likely than those who only have A-levels to be from white working-class or ethnic minority families, it also found vocational qualifications were much more prevalent among students from the north of England than in the south.As well as revealing that those with BTecs were more likely than those who only have A-levels to be from white working-class or ethnic minority families, it also found vocational qualifications were much more prevalent among students from the north of England than in the south.
In the north-east of England and Yorkshire, 48% of those white working-class children who go on to university have at least one BTec. In the north-east, 35% of white working-class students who went to university went solely on the basis of their BTecs.In the north-east of England and Yorkshire, 48% of those white working-class children who go on to university have at least one BTec. In the north-east, 35% of white working-class students who went to university went solely on the basis of their BTecs.
James Kirkup, SMF director, said: “Vocational qualifications like BTecs are the ladder that lets many people who don’t come from privileged homes get into university and enjoy opportunities their parents didn’t have.James Kirkup, SMF director, said: “Vocational qualifications like BTecs are the ladder that lets many people who don’t come from privileged homes get into university and enjoy opportunities their parents didn’t have.
“But for too long politicians and the media alike have ignored and even belittled the vocational route, because politics and the media are dominated by people who took the traditional route of A-levels, then university. Most of the people who run the country didn’t do BTecs, and they don’t come from the sort of background where BTecs matter most.The result is institutional snobbery against vocational qualifications and the people who have them.”“But for too long politicians and the media alike have ignored and even belittled the vocational route, because politics and the media are dominated by people who took the traditional route of A-levels, then university. Most of the people who run the country didn’t do BTecs, and they don’t come from the sort of background where BTecs matter most.The result is institutional snobbery against vocational qualifications and the people who have them.”
Higher educationHigher education
The ObserverThe Observer
Vocational educationVocational education
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