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<p>Widening participation to Higher Education is a priority for this government. The
government wants everyone with the capability to succeed in Higher Education to have
the opportunity to benefit from a university education, regardless of their background.</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 the department’s first guidance to the Office for Students, we asked them to
encourage providers to make further progress in ensuring that students from: areas
of low higher education participation; low household income; and/or low socio-economic
status, can access, participate and succeed in higher education, including at the
most selective institutions.</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. This will
provide greater transparency and help drive fairness on admissions and outcomes.</p><p>Prior
attainment is a critical factor and the government have 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 universities 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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