Urban and Rural Students' Access to Elite Chinese Universities: Contextualising Bourdieu in China

Studies have shown the disparities between urban and rural students accessing elite universities in China, and this book explores the Bourdieusian capital approach to understanding these differences. It interviews parents and students to understand their life stories before elite university entry and promotes global reflections on educational issues to advance knowledge co-production.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Studies have revealed significant differences in the access of urban and rural students to elite universities in China, a phenomenon that Xu delves into in this groundbreaking book. She argues that these disparities align with a Bourdieusian capital approach, highlighting how urban parents leverage their capital to enhance their children's educational prospects. Through qualitative interviews with both parents and students, this book explores the life stories of these students before their entry into elite universities, aiming to provide a reflective reappropriation of Bourdieus's notions in understanding the academic success of Chinese urban and rural students.

In addition to its implications for scholars in China and internationally, this book promotes global reflections on the development and promotion of national analytical concepts to understand contextualized educational issues. It aims to advance knowledge co-production and contribute to policies aimed at increasing participation, equity, and social justice in higher education worldwide.

This engaging text will appeal to students and researchers in the fields of global higher education and sociology of education in East Asia, as well as policymakers working towards inclusive and equitable higher education systems.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032383873