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This conference will consider next steps for widening participation and access to higher education in England. Areas for discussion include priorities for policy, funding and regulation, institutional strategies for outreach and admissions, implications of the Government’s intention to place technical and academic education on an equal footing, as well as new learner pathways and student finance, including for part-time, mature and postgraduate entrants.
Reform, funding & flexible pathways
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implications of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper for participation and system design, alongside changes to tuition fee limits and the proposed link between future increases and provider quality, wider reform to post-18 funding and the implementation of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement as it moves towards modular provision, including priorities for combining greater flexibility in provision with the practical requirements for implementation across the sector.
The role of targeted maintenance support in access and affordability will be considered, including plans to reintroduce maintenance grants from 2028/29 for learners from low-income households studying priority courses, to be funded through the International Student Levy, alongside the wider participation measures set out in the Government's New Deal for Young People.
Regulatory framework, data & tackling inequality
Further discussion is expected on the evolving regulatory context for access and quality, including Access and Participation Plans and the Office for Students’ approach to strengthening quality assessment with a stronger focus on student outcomes and equality of opportunity.
Delegates will also consider practical questions around data, evaluation and accountability, including how institutions can use evidence proportionately while addressing persistent disparities in access, continuation and progression. This will include consideration of emerging approaches to managing provision where outcomes are weak, and implications for institutional missions, regional disparities in access to provision, and student choice.
Widening participation & progression
Planned sessions will examine how institutions and policymakers are approaching widening participation across the student journey, including strategies for reconciling participation objectives and regional skills priorities with provider capacity and funding constraints. Discussion will also consider the new Government’s intention to place technical and academic education on an equal footing, and the implications for access to higher education, impartial information and guidance, progression between different routes, and the role of universities within locally led education and skills systems.
In the context of the ongoing work of the Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group, areas for discussion include next steps for contextual admissions, retention support, and options for supporting coordination between further and higher education to simplify progression routes. Delegates will also consider priorities for improving recognition of T Levels and upcoming V Levels, alongside approaches to credit transfer and recognition of prior learning as modular provision develops.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- implementation of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement - tuition fee reform, participation and flexible pathways
- targeted maintenance grants, the International Student Levy and the New Deal for Young People - implications for participation, funding and system design
- regulation & quality:
- Access and Participation Plans and strengthening quality assessment - proportionate evidence, monitoring and evaluation
- closing gaps in access, continuation and progression - addressing poor-quality provision while supporting student choice
- admissions & pathways:
- contextual admissions and transparency - targeting regional cold spots through outreach and advice
- improving progression from T Levels, V Levels and other post-16 pathways into higher education - implications of moves to place technical and academic routes on an equal footing
- student success:
- addressing barriers to continuation and attainment - effective academic, financial and belonging support - improving outcomes for part-time, mature and postgraduate learners
- modular learning:
- credit transfer and recognition of prior learning - stackable provision through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement - coordination and student care across providers and partnerships
- data & evaluation:
- provider dashboards and participation data - targeting risk and assessing impact proportionately - linking access, skills, employment and progression evidence to inform future priorities
- finance & affordability:
- accommodation, transport and living costs - bursaries, hardship support and part-time work - targeted maintenance support for learners from low-income households on priority courses
- regional partnerships:
- Local Skills Improvement Plans, employer partnerships and placements - aligning participation with regional labour market needs
- implications of Skills England's Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments
- capacity & delivery:
- supporting widening participation, admissions and evaluation - developing staff capability in contextual admissions and evidence use - collaborative delivery models and shared services
