By Degrees is a report from a five-year study following three successive groups of young people entering higher education from a background in local authority care.

Theirs is a remarkable achievement, far surpassing the educational attainment of the majority of care leavers. The report tracks them through their first year of university. The main purpose of this book is to help local authorities fulfil their obligations to support care leavers by providing adequate financial and personal support to enable care leavers to access higher education and gain maximum benefit from their time at university.

The book argues that local authorities must be prepared to provide realistic levels of financial support if they hope to raise the attainment of children in their care and for more care leavers to enter higher education. Universities and colleges also have their part to play and should be proactive in raising the aspirations of young people in public care and encouraging them to apply for places.