Recent research highlighted the challenges working class people face in terms of getting to university, with the study highlighting that students from a working class background are half as likely to attend one of the elite London, Oxford or Cambridge universities than their peers from wealthier backgrounds, even if their academic achievements are comparable.

The researchers analyzed data from the 35,000 students currently living in the UK who undertook a masters degree after their initial degree.  The majority stayed at the same university to continue their studies, but of those who did move, some 24% of those with wealthy parents went to ‘golden triangle’ universities.  This compares to just 11% of those with poorer parents.

This disadvantage persists into their working life too, with new research from the University of Cologne highlighting how working class graduates are much more likely to begin their career in less prestigious occupations than their peers from upper class backgrounds.

Family support

The authors highlight how those from more advantaged backgrounds are more likely to have financial backing from their parents, and have had a lifetime of preparation with the kind of soft skills so often vital to access prestigious occupations.

This social and cultural capital is vital for access to the more prestigious entry-level positions, and while the authors claim that working-class students can overcome this disadvantage, it can take up to eight years to do so.

“Parental resources and support can be particularly helpful; parents’ social networks may provide access to information about potential employers and their cultural capital is considered to be beneficial during the recruitment process.” the authors say.  “However, later in their career, potential employers will either observe an employee’s productivity or evaluate an applicant’s accumulated work experience. This allows those from lower-class backgrounds to compensate for their initial disadvantage.”