Education has emerged as the key factor shaping political views in the UK, with rightwing movements finding it increasingly difficult to gain support among graduates, according to new research.
The independent National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) found that individuals with qualifications below A-level were more than twice as likely to support rightwing parties compared with those holding a university degree or higher.
The Demographic Divides report states:
“A person with no educational qualifications had around 2 times the odds of voting for either the Conservatives or Reform UK than someone with a university degree or higher. This is independent of other factors, including financial precarity. Even after accounting for income, those without a degree are more likely to support rightwing parties in the UK. If one wanted to predict whether a person voted for parties of the right, knowing their educational background would give a very good chance of making a correct prediction.”
Similar patterns are seen in the United States, where high school graduates or those with lower education levels were twice as likely as college graduates to support Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in 2024. The report notes that rightwing movements in both countries struggle to gain support among those with higher education.
Education also strongly shapes attitudes towards diversity and immigration. In the UK, 65% of degree holders believed that diversity strengthened society, compared with just 30% of those with A-levels or below. In the US, 74% of college graduates supported diversity, compared with 54% of high school graduates or lower.
On racial advantage, 60% of university-educated respondents in both countries believed that white people benefited from societal advantages not available to Black people. Among those with lower qualifications, only 30% in the UK and 50% in the US agreed.
The study also found that immigration views vary with education. In the UK, 55% of respondents with below A-level qualifications believed that immigrants living in the country without permission should not be allowed to stay, compared with 36% of degree holders. In the US, 32% of university graduates held this view, compared with 40% of high school graduates or lower.
NatCen research director Alex Scholes explained:
“Rightwing politics in the UK and the US are often compared, but our findings show they are built on different foundations. In Britain, education is the most important dividing line, particularly on immigration and diversity. In the US, support for the right reflects a mix of identities, including ethnicity, religion, gender, age, and economic insecurity. These differences help explain why political polarisation looks and feels different between the UK and US.”
For individuals navigating immigration matters in the UK, understanding these societal and political trends can be important for visa, settlement, or sponsorship decisions. At LawSentis, we provide expert UK immigration guidance, helping clients make informed decisions and stay fully compliant. Contact us today for advice tailored to your situation.
News Source: The Guardian