Abstract
The relationship between geography and the selection of university is well documented and suggests that a student’s location substantially limits their choice of institution. However, there are few studies investigating the interplay between geography and the decision to attend university, particularly in the UK. This study aims to establish if distance to university is associated with the probability of enrolling in higher education in England and forms the quantitative half of a mixed-methods study on the subject. An ordinal logistic regression analysis of HESA enrollment data, which controls for deprivation, is employed. The investigation uses average direct measures of distance between each census area and university campus in England to determine the relationship between distance and enrollment. The findings suggest that geographical distance to university has a negative association with university enrollment. Students within the 10 km measure had a significantly increased odds of enrolling at university than students in the 40 km and above category (odds ratio 10.89; 95% CI 1–2), when controlling for deprivation and population density. It is hoped that the findings of this research will help to raise awareness of geographical inequalities and inform policy on university access.
Highlights
This study aims to investigate the interplay between geography and higher education enrollment, so that access to university may be understood in greater depth.1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)Research in Higher Education (2020) 61:825–848This research project addresses the following research question: Is distance to university associated with the probability of university enrollment in England?1There continue to be a substantial minority of students who are denied access to university, generation after generation
As enrollment increases the average distance from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) decreases and deprivation has a linear relationship; low enrollment neighborhoods are more likely to be more deprived
This research paper has investigated the relationship between geographical distance to university and participation
Summary
This study aims to investigate the interplay between geography and higher education enrollment, so that access to university may be understood in greater depth.1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)Research in Higher Education (2020) 61:825–848This research project addresses the following research question: Is distance to university associated with the probability of university enrollment in England?1There continue to be a substantial minority of students who are denied access to university, generation after generation. This study aims to investigate the interplay between geography and higher education enrollment, so that access to university may be understood in greater depth. This research project addresses the following research question: Is distance to university associated with the probability of university enrollment in England?1. There continue to be a substantial minority of students who are denied access to university, generation after generation. Not because they lack skill or strengths but because they have no opportunity. The potential barrier of distance is rarely discussed and poorly understood in England. Access to higher education is essential for facilitating social mobility and developing a workforce that is highly skilled and able to adapt. Social cohesion is dependent on social justice, which is influenced by fair access (Department for Education 2004)
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