First-in-family status ‘unreliable’ measure of disadvantage

Hepi research suggests first generation student proxy is an unhelpful measure of access

Too much weight has been placed on “first-in-family” status as a measure of disadvantage, according to a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute.

Recruiting students who are the first in their family to attend university is often cited by universities and policymakers as a successful example of widening access. But Hepi says the indicator has many different definitions, is unverifiable, and there is a lack of transparency over how it is applied.