Keywords
tertiary education
stratification
educational selections
How to Cite
Abstract
The paper aims to answer two questions concerning inequalities at the tertiary level of education. Firstly, the impact of social background on the choices of fields studies, and, secondly, the gender-driven selection of fields of study. Research conducted to date has shown a visible relationship between one’s social background and the selection of academic disciplines studied. Individuals who have better-educated parents are more likely to study prestigious fields such as law or medicine. It has also been claimed that women are more likely to choose studies in humanities and social Sciences whereas men favour technical studies. Will these trends continue to exist given the rapid increase in the number of tertiary-level students in Poland sińce 1990s? The results of a survey conducted in three public universities in Białystok in 2008 have shown that students’ choices are driven by both their social background and gender. Also, a relationship has been identified between the choices of fields of study and the overall propensity to take risks. The author interprets the results of the survey building on the theory of cultural Capital, theory of monopolisation and rational choice.
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