Mature Access: the contribution of the Access to Higher Education Diploma

Abstract

ABSTRACTSince the late 1970s, the Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) Diploma (the Diploma) and its predecessor Access to HE certificates and courses have provided opportunities for adults to undertake the preparation they need to progress to higher education (HE). The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has been collecting data about these students since 1998, working with a variety of further education (FE) and HE agencies, and has published annual reports. This paper brings together this information to consider the question of whether or not this qualification has contributed to widening participation in HE. General patterns in the data are presented, acknowledging that some changes in data collection methodologies over the years place limitations on the statements that can be made. The paper suggests that nonetheless this unique set of data does indicate that Access to HE has made a contribution. However, some of the changes in patterns of the proportions of widening participation characteristics in Access to HE entrants to HE raise questions for further analysis, and changes in the context of FE and HE structures and funding may pose challenges to Access to HE students and their progression to HE.