Transfer to a professional degree/ higher vocational degree: Pathway for upward social mobility in the expanded higher education system

Anita C H Koo, Kin Cheung, J Y M Siu

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference abstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background information: Education has long been used for upward mobility. When larger proportions of students proceed to receive postsecondary education, the unequal value of a degree in mass higher education, in terms of employment outcomes and income returns of graduates from different fields of study and different types of tertiary institutes, has received increasing attention worldwide. Previous research findings indicate that advantaged students have higher chances to access a degree of traditional prestige fields of study in elite universities, and the equality implication of expanded higher education is unclear.

Aim/objective(s): This paper looks into the new types of degrees in the expanded postsecondary sector, which offer non-traditional students alternative pathways to higher education and provide them professionally orientated training and education. It explores how these new degrees equip their graduates with skills and qualifications that enhance their social mobility.

Methods: Based on a sub-set of interview data from the qualitative arm of a larger scale research project, this paper investigates the motivation, decision-making process, and learning experiences among the students who transfer to new types of professional/higher vocational programmes.

Results/Findings: Findings of the paper highlight how these new degrees successfully attract a pool of non-traditional students who strongly aspire to achieve upward social mobility through higher education. They also reveal the students’ concerns, worries, and struggles while taking up this alternative pathway for higher education.

Conclusion (Implications/recommendations): The knowledge will inform us of the way to further/better facilitate disadvantaged students to obtain professional/vocational qualifications in the expanded higher education system.

Conference

Conference2025 International Conference of Reimagining Transfer: Global Insights on Credit Mobility in the New Higher Education Paradigm
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period16/05/2517/05/25
Internet address

User-Defined Keywords

  • Higher education
  • Non-traditional students
  • Alternative pathways
  • Professional/vocational education

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