Mature Graduates II: Occupational attainment and the effects of social class

This paper compares occupational attainment among mature graduates, both male and female, from working-class origins with outcomes for mature graduates from middle-class origins. Data from the General Household Survey, (1982-1992) was used yielding 4265 male and 2869 female early graduates, 700 male, and 448 female, mature graduates. It was found that proportionately more people from working-class than middle-class origins study as adults than at the school leaving stage. Nonetheless, mature graduates from middle-class origins still outnumber those from working-class origins. However, it was found that people from working-class origins had increased their take-up of higher education as mature students over time and are reaching parity with people from middle-class origins. Working-class mature graduates are more likely to have studied in less prestigious institutions and at an older age than middle-class mature graduates, although the effects are small. These characteristics were associated with lesser occupational attainment. Working-class mature graduates are similar to middle-class mature graduates in appearing to have the faster promotion rates than early graduates, thus making up some initial career disadvantage.