Overcoming the Barriers to Higher Education

by Stephen Gorard, Helen May

There are serious inequalities in participation in post-compulsory education and training related to socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity and other characteristics. Such inequalities are reproduced and exacerbated in higher education. This book is based on a review of research evidence that asks whether these social and familial patterns can be interrupted via educational and other interventions.

The answer lies in taking a radically new lifelong approach, considering changes over time and examining earlier life factors that influence participation–such as family, peer group and initial education, all of which help to build the learning trajectory of individuals that leads them to consider higher education. The impressive results make this book essential reading for practitioners and policy-makers concerned with widening participation, and for academics.

166 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2007