Closing the gap between vocational and general education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England

Stephen Machin, Sandra McNally, Camille Terrier and Guglielmo Ventura

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: Vocational education delivery is widely debated, with ongoing efforts to improve its effectiveness. In 2010, England introduced University Technical Colleges (UTCs), hybrid institutions combining general and vocational education. Using an instrumental variable approach, this paper examines the impact of UTC attendance on academic and vocational achievement, university enrolment, and labour market outcomes. For students entering UTCs at the unconventional age 14, enrolment significantly lowers academic achievement at age 16. However, for those entering at the conventional age 16, UTCs enhance vocational achievement, boost enrolment in STEM degrees, and improve labour market outcomes. The findings highlight the risks of early specialisation and the benefits of aligning education with students' interests at a more suitable stage.

Keywords: technical education; school value-added; University Technical College (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I20 I21 I28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-07-08
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Published in Journal of Human Resources, 8, July, 2025. ISSN: 0022-166X

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http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/128193/ Open access version. (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: Closing the Gap Between Vocational and General Education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England (2023)
Working Paper: Closing the Gap Between Vocational and General Education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England (2020)
Working Paper: Closing the Gap between Vocational and General Education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England (2020)
Working Paper: Closing the Gap Between Vocational and General Education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England (2020)
Working Paper: Closing the Gap between Vocational and General Education? Evidence from University Technical Colleges in England (2020)
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