Boys Less Keen To Be Students

A recent survey suggests that boys are not as keen to go to university as girls. A poll of 2,400 11 to 16 year olds was carried out and it found that 76% of girls wanted to go to university compared to 67% of boys. This 9% point gap is double that of a survey carried out of pupils in England and Wales in 2006.

Sir Peter Lampl the chairman of Sutton Trust said: “We are looking for new ways to raise the attainment and aspirations of boys, particularly those from non-privileged backgrounds, so that more of them decide to go on to higher education and can therefore access the excellent opportunities beyond. As well as innovative outreach schemes, we are also considering the potential benefits of an aptitude test for university admissions, to be used alongside A-levels which traditionally favour girls.”

Earlier this year figures showing 313,259 more women than men had applied to university since 1998, sparked renewed concerns about a growing gap in higher education.

26th Aug 2007