Expansion of higher education and the implications for demographic class formation in Britain

Abstract

This paper argues that widening participation is unlikely seriously to dilute the overwhelmingly middle-class complexion of UK higher education. Rather, it is argued that any further expansion will strengthen the role of higher education as a distinctive and normal middle-class life stage. Simultaneously, it is argued that UK higher education is currently strengthening, and will continue to strengthen, the distinction between an upper-middle class and the rest of the middle class. The paper then explains that both roles are historically novel.