Universal Access and Dual Regimes of Further and Higher Education

The division between further and higher education in England is long-standing. The project examines the impact of this separation on strategies to widen participation in undergraduate education. Does it advance or inhibit a broadening of participation, or is its influence otherwise neutral?

Alongside national and international studies of policy, organisation and participation in dual-sector systems, fieldwork is conducted with students and staff in four partner colleges and universities.

The study is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) within its Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP).