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<p>Widening access and participation in higher education is a priority for this government.
Everyone with the capability to succeed in higher education should have the opportunity
to benefit from a university education, regardless of background or where they grew
up.</p><p> </p><p>This year, record rates of English 18 year olds, including those
from disadvantaged backgrounds, have entered full-time university. However, more could
and should be done. That is why in our recent guidance to the Office for Students,
we asked them to continue in its efforts to secure greater and faster progress in
ensuring that students from disadvantaged and under-represented groups can access
and successfully participate in higher education, including at the most selective
providers.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, a new transparency condition requires higher
education providers to publish application, offer, acceptance, non-continuation and
attainment rates by socio-economic background, gender and ethnicity. It will provide
greater transparency and help drive fairness on admissions and outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>Prior
attainment is a critical factor, and the government has asked higher education providers
to take on a more direct role in helping to raise attainment in schools as part of
their outreach activity. All providers are expected to help raise attainment and support
school improvement, including through school sponsorship and by establishing new state
schools.</p><p> </p>
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