Introduction
This entry focuses on how higher education institutions can implement national and international policy aspirations to widen access and participation in higher education (HE) by traditionally underserved groups, including those who have “chosen” not to participate and those who have been excluded (e.g., on the grounds of ethnicity or gender). Increasing participation and addressing underrepresentation in HE are widespread government concerns, although the priority and action accorded to it varies.
In Europe, the focus is on increasing participation in HE to 40% by 2020 and addressing the social composition of the student population to reflect the diversity of the population (London Communiqué 2007). This incorporates a wide range of target groups including, low income, first in family, older students, students from minority groups, students with vocational educational qualifications, refugees and migrants, and equalizing gender participation in particular subjects such as...
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References
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Thomas, L. (2018). Governing Access and Success in Higher Education. In: Encyclopedia of International Higher Education Systems and Institutions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9553-1_592-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9553-1_592-1
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