The Role of Academic Self-Concept in Post-Compulsory Achievement, Transitions and Labour Market Outcomes

Pupils' Academic Self-Concept (ASC) has been shown to be related to educational outcomes during compulsory school years, but there is little evidence on the role ASC plays beyond this stage. Using longitudinal data from the English Next Steps survey the authors examine whether young people with higher ASC are more likely to study A levels, participate in further education and attend university. For university attenders, they examine whether higher ASC is associated with attending high status universities or studying higher status subjects. Finally, they explore the relationship between ASC and employment status and income. They find ASC is associated with differences in some of the post-educational routes but not with all. ASC is associated with an increased likelihood of studying for A levels and, for those with the highest ASC, more ASC increases the likelihood of going to university. However, there is no evidence that ASC is associated with going to an elite Russell Group university or related to differences in subjects studied at university, nor is it directly associated with later labour market outcomes once background variables and prior educational attainment are included. However, there will be an indirect relationship which should not be overlooked, as ASC influences A levels and the likelihood of going to university, both of which are associated with improved labour market outcomes. Although not causal, this work suggests that policies aimed at increasing ASC might have the ability to improve students' educational trajectories, increasing the likelihood that students will study A levels and, for some, increasing the likelihood of attending university. Both of these are pivotal educational cross-roads, so influencing routes at these points not only has the potential to improve opportunities for individuals, but also widen access to HE among groups with traditionally lower participation rates, thereby improving later outcomes, indirectly.