Importance of taking part

Early assessment of projects designed to increase participation in higher education found the key aspects were advice and guidance, student support and partnerships. But the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education report, which examined projects funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England over the past three years, found they gave relatively little priority to changing the curriculum and institution. The report identified seven broad strategies pursued by the projects: changing the profile of higher education, providing advice and guidance services, partnerships, changing attitudes, changing the higher education curriculum, changing the institution and changing the curriculum outside higher education, such as access courses or summer schools. It asked those involved to rate these strategies in terms of importance and success.