Access and participation in higher education
Type of Publication: NCSEHE publication
Lead Organisation: NCSEHE
Year Published: 2013
Preface
Professor Sue Trinidad
Australian universities have long demonstrated a strong commitment to student equity and to increasing the participation of people from equity backgrounds. This was also a key recommendation from the Bradley Review (2008). The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) was set up to fund a range of university participation and partnership initiatives.
Through HEPPP funding, Australian universities have been able to provide opportunities to students from under-represented backgrounds who have the ability to study at university, to actually do so.
Thirty nine case studies are presented here, demonstrating Australian universities’ commitment to improving the access, participation and success in higher education of students from equity groups. The case studies share current practice used by universities to reach prospective university students (outreach), help get them into university (access), and provide the support once the students commence, improving the retention and completion rates of those students.
The range of case studies featured here illustrate the multiple initiatives and is an opportunity to share current practice that enhance equity students’ awareness, educational aspirations, access to and success in higher education across Australia. Such initiatives inform and expose school students and other prospective university students to the opportunities that higher education can offer. A variety of entry pathways enables those equity students who desire to participate to have the capacity to apply for and successfully enter undergraduate study at university. A range of support services, such as mentoring and tutoring programs, ensure all students have the best chance of succeeding in their studies.
Australian universities have been able to provide opportunities to students from underrepresented backgrounds who have the ability to study at university, to actually do so.