University graduates hold more positive attitudes towards immigrants  than non-graduates. Previous studies have attempted to net out selection mechanisms to examine whether there is a causal effect of higher education on attitudes towards immigrants. However, parental higher education might be part of the selection story as a likely source of endogeneity.  Using UKHLS data on individuals and their parents for the UK and employing the khb decomposition model, we examine if and why parental education matters for attitudes towards immigrants. First, we show that, net of individual educational attainment, individuals whose parents have a university degree are more likely to have more positive attitudes towards immigrants. Second, we illustrate that the relationship between parental higher education and attitudes towards immigrants is mediated by two mechanisms: parental socialisation and individual education. Our research contributes to understanding why and how attitudes towards immigrants overlap with educational stratification.