October 2023 ● Jefferson Frank , Alexander Vickery
In this paper, we look at the subject choices of LGB students in the UK - specifically, in England and Wales. In our data, we have, for each cohort of university students in England from 2012 onwards, a full sample of students that enrol in university and in due course answer the final destinations survey. Universities asked students about their sexual orientation, and universities decided whether or not to report this information to the central authorities. By 2020, virtually all universities were providing this data. Using our data, we are able to see if the differential subject choices overall between LGB individuals and heterosexuals of the same sex can be associated with other characteristics such as ethnicity, social class, and region. However, a particular focus is on whether or not sexual minority students end up in subjects where they get better results, or whether they are trading off degree outcomes for other reasons such as a more comfortable environment or a subject interest.
Working paper coming soon