Money problems and fear of running into debt are among the chief reasons that young people from disadvantaged families are more likely to drop out of university than other students and to achieve less academic success, according to research undertaken at the University of Glasgow on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The research, by Professor Andy Furlong and Dr. Alasdair Forsyth of the University of Glasgow, was carried out in Scotland. But the authors argue that its insights into the disproportionate drop-out rate among students from disadvantaged backgrounds are equally relevant to higher education in other parts of the UK.

The study followed the progress of more than 300 students from deprived neighbourhoods in higher education. It found that they were more likely to leave prematurely, either by failing to finish their qualification or foregoing the chance to progress to a more advanced course. Their college careers were also more complicated in the sense that they were more likely to defer taking up their place and to switch courses or repeat a year for non-academic reasons.

The main factors identified behind their difficulties were:

Unfamiliarity with higher education - often led young people from deprived neighbourhoods to enrol for inappropriate courses. Many of the students interviewed were the first in their families to enter university and felt they had been poorly advised by school teachers, guidance staff and the careers service.

A lack of money and financial security - limited their choice of course and the length of time they were prepared to stay in higher education before they found a full-time job.

Worries about incurring debt through student loans and other borrowing - fear of debt appeared to be a much greater deterrent to students staying in higher education than sums they had actually borrowed. Concern about debt was often compounded by lack of confidence about academic success and the chances of finding a sufficiently well-paid job.

Isolation and low morale - students felt a culture clash between university life and their home backgrounds. Some disadvantaged students who had enrolled in prestigious universities said they had trouble 'fitting in'. Others had deliberately chosen less prestigious courses where they thought they would feel less out of place.

The researchers conclude that measures to raise aspirations and achievement in schools serving deprived neighbourhoods should be coupled with better advice and information for students who aspire towards higher education. They also recommend increases in financial support for disadvantaged students.

Andy Furlong said: "Our work confirms that disadvantaged young people are not enjoying as great a level of success in higher education as their peers. They are often deterred by economic hardship and fear of debt from entering full-time education in the first place. But those who do make it to university or equivalent degree course are more likely to quit before reaching their academic potential.

Better financial help, especially non-repayable bursaries, would enable more of them to complete their degrees, especially those who enrol for longer, more prestigious courses."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The report will be launched at 10.30 for 11am on Friday 16th May at the Kelvin Gallery, University of Glasgow. Speakers include Dr Andrew Cubie, formerly chair of the Independent Inquiry into Student Finance in Scotland, Rami Okasha, President of the National Union of Students Scotland and Prof. Sir Graeme Davies, Principal of the University of Glasgow.

?Losing out? Socioeconomic disadvantage and experience in further and higher education? by Alasdair Forsyth and Andy Furlong.

Published for the Foundation by The Policy Press and available from Marston Book Services, PO Box 269, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4YN (01235 465500), price ?14.95 plus ?2.75 p&p.

A summary of findings is available free of charge from JRF, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP.

For further information, contact:

Prof. Andy Furlong (author) 0141-330 4667

Dr. Alasdair Forsyth 0141-548 4378

Judith Hodgson (University Press Office) 0141 330 3535

First published: 16 May 2003