Ethnicity and degree attainment

Recent studies indicate that there is a link between degree attainment and factors such as ethnicity and gender. In light of these findings the higher education sector is making a coordinated effort to address this issue through a dedicated programme of work.

Recent studies

In 2007 the former Department for Education and Skills published research which showed that even after controlling for certain factors, being from a minority ethnic group was still found to have a statistically significant and negative effect on degree attainment. The research also showed that females were more likely to obtain higher degree classification than males, except when it comes to attaining a first.

This prompted further research to investigate the types of institutional practice that can have a positive and/or negative effect on degree attainment according to ethnicity and, to a lesser extent, gender. In January 2008, the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) and the Higher Education Academy (the Academy) published the findings of this research in 'Ethnicity, gender and degree attainment'.

This report outlined that differences in attainment are likely to be the result of a complex interaction of the factors that make up the student experience. These include learning and teaching, assessment and feedback, student support, and social activities. It concluded with a number of key recommendations for the sector to take forward.

Programme of work

In light of these studies, the Academy and the ECU are working with higher education institutions (HEIs) to generate recommendations for the whole sector to consider. This encompasses extensive work to involve all English HEIs, and a programme of intensive work with a selection of institutions. The work includes:

a summit programme to support the sector in addressing degree differentials (this programme involves 15 institutional teams and provides a framework to help them develop, implement and evaluate policies and/or practices to improve degree attainment of black and minority ethnic (BME) students)
a research seminar series which provides institutions with the opportunity to present research into improving degree attainment of BME students, or to showcase evidence-based practice(s) to promote the success of BME students
the Academy has commissioned a synthesis of research on the retention, success and achievement of BME students
a working group to ensure oversight and communication is maintained across the work.

For more information regarding the ECU's and the Academy's work see:

Student ethnicity: profile and progression of entrants to full-time, first degree study

In May 2010 we published 'Student ethnicity: profile and progression of entrants'. This report compares, by ethnicity, the characteristics of the UK-domiciled entrants to full-time, first degree courses in 2002-03 as well as their progression routes through their first degree studies.

Further information

Last updated 22 November 2010