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7 April 2003

Benefits of higher education reach far beyond the job market

Graduates are less depressed, healthier, more likely to vote in elections and help with their children's education, according to a study commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The study, conducted by researchers at the Institute of Education, University of London, shows that the advantages graduates derive from higher education cover not only better jobs and higher pay, but also a wide range of other social and personal benefits.

On average, graduates are less likely to smoke, are less obese, have a higher sense of well-being, and read more to their children. They are also more likely to be involved with their children's school's Parent Teacher Association (PTAs), hold more tolerant attitudes towards other races, and are more likely to be involved in their communities through voluntary activities.

They also cost society less. They are less likely to require social security benefits, and their healthier lifestyle places less burden on the National Health Service.

The study found that the benefits of higher education to graduates are evident across gender, age group and social class. On the other hand students who dropped out of higher education before graduation from the 1958 cohort showed a reduction in the indicators of good health compared with those who completed their studies and gained a degree.

The study compared two cohorts of graduates born in 1958 and 1970. Despite the expansion of the graduate population over the past 25 years, there was no evidence of dilution: the study found that the benefits of higher education were sustained as the graduate population increased.

Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of the HEFCE, said: 'This research, which confirms and builds on the findings of an earlier study (Note 2), supports the current policies for widening and expanding the number of students participating in higher education.

'Higher education is a key driver in providing economic and social benefits. Not only are the knowledge, skills and attitudes of graduates critical to business success, they also contribute strongly to civilising and cultural values in society and delivering other social gains. Increasing the number of graduates brings considerable benefits to communities and society.'

ENDS

Notes

1. 'Revisiting the benefits of higher education' is available to download. The study on which the report is based was conducted by the Bedford Group for Lifecourse and Statistical Studies, Institute of Education.

2. The report builds on the conclusions from an earlier report (HEFCE 01/46, 'Wider benefits of higher education') through new findings from a more extensive analysis, drawing on a wider range of data. Data were collected from two major longitudinal studies: at age 33 from the National Child Development Study, based on a cohort born in 1958, and the more recent 1970 British Cohort Study. Findings are reported in five major areas:

  • mobility
  • health
  • labour market
  • citizenship and values
  • parenting.

3. The authors of the report are: John Bynner, Peter Dolton, Leon Feinstein, Gerry Makepeace, Lars Malmberg and Laura Woods.