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Does UK Higher Education Discriminate Against Women?

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  • D Leslie

Abstract

Using a sample of 2.3 million observations on applicants to UK Higher Education institutions from 1996-2001, the paper explores whether the selection process into Higher Education is discriminatory. The answer is no discrimination, even though women are better qualified and are less likely to be offered a place. The lower tier Higher National Diploma sector is a key issue because women (excluding nursing) are less likely to undertake these courses, which are `male orientated'. The policy conclusion is that to encourage less well-qualified females to undertake Higher Education, more appropriate provision is necessary that recognizes the reality of subject gender segregation.

Suggested Citation

  • D Leslie, 2004. "Does UK Higher Education Discriminate Against Women?," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 9(2), pages 51-68, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eis:articl:204leslie
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    5. Derek Leslie, 2003. "Using success to measure quality in British higher education: which subjects attract the best‐qualified students?," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 166(3), pages 329-347, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Derek Leslie, 2005. "Why people from the UK's minority ethnic communities achieve weaker degree results than whites," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(6), pages 619-632.

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