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Social Identification, Widening Participation and Higher Education: Experiencing Similarity and Difference in an English Red Brick University

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  • Tom Clark

    (University of Sheffield, UK)

  • Rita Hordósy

    (University of Manchester, UK)

Abstract

In 2012, the UK government introduced the National Scholarship Programme – a scheme that aimed to ensure that young people from families with low household incomes would not be discouraged from entry into higher education by increases in tuition fees. Drawing on longitudinal evidence in the form of 80 semi-structured interviews conducted in an English Red Brick University over a 3-year period, this article uses Jenkins’ work on social identification to examine the processes by which these post-2012 undergraduates used and experienced the financial support made available to them as part of the Programme. The article explores how the initially categorical label associated with being a student in receipt of financial assistance was variously understood and experienced as they moved through their degree. Not only did the additional finance allow students to avoid excessive part-time work, recipients also felt increasingly valued by the institution when they began to recognise how their financial circumstances differed from their peers, and that the university had made this provision for them. It remains to be seen whether these, more intangible, benefits of non-repayable financial support will transfer to the system of ‘enhanced’ loans that have subsequently replaced maintenance grants and the National Scholarship Programme.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Clark & Rita Hordósy, 2019. "Social Identification, Widening Participation and Higher Education: Experiencing Similarity and Difference in an English Red Brick University," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 24(3), pages 353-369, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:24:y:2019:i:3:p:353-369
    DOI: 10.1177/1360780418811971
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elaine Batty & John Flint, 2013. "Talking 'bout poor folks (thinking 'bout my folks): perspectives on comparative poverty in working class households," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Jessica Abrahams & Nicola Ingram, 2013. "The Chameleon Habitus: Exploring Local Students’ Negotiations of Multiple Fields," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 18(4), pages 213-226, November.
    3. Sheryl Clark & Anna Mountford-Zimdars & Becky Francis, 2015. "Risk, Choice and Social Disadvantage: Young People's Decision-Making in a Marketised Higher Education System," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 20(3), pages 110-123, August.
    4. repec:taf:intjhp:v:13:y:2013:i:1:p:1-16 is not listed on IDEAS
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