Increasing and widening access to higher education: a comparative study of policy and provision in Scotland and Australia

Abstract

1. This is a revised and extended version of a paper which was presented at the International Access Network Conference, Portland, Maine, USA, June 1994, and the Second National Conference on Equity and Access in Tertiary Education, Melbourne, Australia, July 1995. The place of access policies within higher education through a comparative approach which examines recent developments in Scotland and Australia is examined. The development of access policies is presented in the context of wider change, which is restructuring higher education in both societies. The importance of factors associated with national economic development in this process is emphasized, and the possible conflict with policies which are designed to encourage equity is explored. The impact of these policies both on the structure of the higher education systems, and on participation rates is examined. While there are major differences between these two societies, in terms of geography, history and political agendas, this paper emphasizes...