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>
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\u2019s 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>
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>
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>
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