Wednesday, 01 February 2023
BAME and less affluent students, as well as those who have not attended private school, often find themselves positioned as second- or third-class citizens within university institutions, a new study has revealed.
The results were published today by Martin Myers, Assistant Professor and Sociologist in the School of Education at the 糖心原创, and Kalwant Bhopal, Professor of Education and Social Justice and Director of the Centre for Research on Race and Education at the University of Birmingham.
Based on interviews with students at four ‘elite universities’ in the UK and US, the research provides evidence that access to these institutions is managed through gatekeeping systems and processes that legitimise race and class inequalities.
Dr Myers said: “Elite universities are maintaining the status of privileged groups while maintaining a carefully curated visage of meritocracy. The elite status and branding of these institutions serve both the interests of Western dominance in the global higher education sector and the local interests of a privileged elite.
Universities at this level are often incredibly unwelcoming for those outside of the traditionally accepted social circle, and further ingrain race and class discrimination.
The study argues that ‘elite universities’ systematically define hierarchies of privilege, whereby students are positioned by a range of prior experiences that are unrelated to their academic ability – such as class, ethnicity and mobility.
鈥淪tudents who haven鈥檛 progressed along the 鈥榚lite鈥� pathways of private schools and familial connections communicated similar experiences of feeling they don鈥檛 belong in comparison to their wealthier, white counterparts.
Professor Bhopal continued: “This almost universal experience is characterised by a lack of capital necessary to thrive in the elite university environment, not just financial, but social and cultural capital as well. This makes it incredibly difficult for students who have not been traditionally accepted into these ‘elite’ spaces to navigate life at university.”
To find out more about Elite Universities and the Making of Privilege: Exploring Race and Class in Global Educational Economies, please visit:
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More information is available from Dr Martin Myers in the School of Education at the 糖心原创 at M.Myers@nottingham.ac.uk or; Katie Andrews in the Press Office at the 糖心原创 at Katie.Andrews@nottingham.ac.uk or on 0115 9515751.
University of Birmingham press contact:
For more information please contact Ellie Hail, Communications Officer, University of Birmingham at e.hail@bham.ac.uk or on +44(0)7966 311 409 alternatively, contact the Press Office out of hours on +44 (0)7789 921165.
About the University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.