Similar performance, but different choices: social class and higher education choice in Greece

Abstract

Higher education choice has been a central theme in sociological research in recent decades, especially following the policies for the widening of participation adopted in many countries. Research has shown a relationship between social class and higher education choice, and this is a reason why the expansion of higher education does not reduce social inequalities. This article is based on quantitative and qualitative research on first‐year university students, and examines the higher education choice of students from different socio‐economic backgrounds, but with similar levels of performance. The findings provide evidence that, even when high performance provides students with a wide range of choices, higher education choice is a different experience for middle‐class and working‐class students. The authors argue that choice is a multifaceted process, the analysis of which needs to consider the general financial and societal context, and the specific labour market characteristics in each country.