In this, the seventh of my policy briefings, we look at the White Paper’s wide ranging impact on equality in higher education.

The Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) which accompanied the HE White Paper described how there had been ‘major progress over the years for individuals in protected and disadvantaged groups in many areas of higher education.’ In particular they describe the position of women as ‘an overwhelming success.’

While we would agree there have been great advances in equality within Higher Education, significant issues remain around access and participation together with attainment and progression.

Fundamentally, it is important, as NUS has argued, that the idea of access to Higher Education is not limited to discussions around financial mobility. Our system of HE should ensure that both access and success are something which anyone, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to enjoy.