Hefce probes choices

New research into why some well-qualified teenagers decide not to enter higher education has been commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Hefce has commissioned Stephen Gorard of York University to work with academics at Staffordshire University's Institute for Access on a project that will be used by the funding council to "develop future activities".

The funding council said that the research to be led by Professor Gorard will take a "lifelong view" of the decision to participate in higher education. It has asked for evidence to be submitted about factors early in life - such as family background, early education and peer groups - that could play a part in determining whether teenagers choose to continue their education.