Journal Article

Regional structures of feeling? A spatially and socially differentiated analysis of UK student im/mobility

Donnelly, Michael, Gamsu, Sol

2018

Overview

This article explores the patterning of student im/mobility internally within the United Kingdom, using exceptionally detailed student records data on full-time undergraduate entrants from 2014. For this cohort of students, geographic mobility was clearly the preserve of the most socio-economically advantaged, and was less common for Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups. Significantly, the student's 'home' region emerges as the most important factor driving im/mobility even when social, ethnic and educational differences are held constant. The concept 'structures of feeling' can help make sense of immobility in areas of the North-East, North-West and Wales, where students are likely to look on higher education choice through a different lens of accumulated and contemporary, inter-generational cultural experience. Exploring exceptions to the dominant trends, we also find a more complex patterning of im/mobility that is likely to reflect the deep historical and structural framing of young people's socio-spatial horizons.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis, Ltd,Taylor & Francis,Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subject: Academic achievement / College Choice / College students / Differences / East and West / Ethnic differences / Ethnic groups / Ethnicity / Exceptions / Foreign Countries / Frame analysis / Full Time Students / Geographic mobility / Geographic Regions / Higher Education / Middle Class / Mobility / place / Racial differences / Regional Characteristics / regional identity / Regions / School Location / social class / Social mobility / Socioeconomic Status / Student Characteristics / Student Mobility / Student Records / Students / Undergraduate Students / Youth