Opening Doors: Access to Higher Education as a Key to Success for Adult Learners

About the June Forum

Presented by Dr Nalita James and Dr Hugh Busher

The diversification and expansion of higher education in the last decade has had an impact on changes in higher education policy including the chances of adult learners to participate. Despite this, there has been little research on access to higher education. Further, the literature on participation in adult learning, and on adult learners’ transitions to higher education, tend to ignore those seeking to participate in higher education through the Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma route. Such learners tend come from less privileged backgrounds restricting their chances to participate in higher education.

The purpose of this talk is to better understand Access to HE learners’ discourses and experiences of the different causes of marginalisation that they experience. Moreover, it considers how, in becoming and being an Access to HE learner, there is the potential for change and transformation. The talk also examines the significant role of tutors in helping the learners with the struggles they face when trying to cope with the demands of studying on the Access to HE course and preparing themselves for university. The paper ends by challenging the restrictive ways in which the Access to HE Diploma is discussed by policy makers. It argues that adult education is more about determination to alter learner identities and careers than meeting narrow performative criteria of financial targets.

About Vaughan Open Research Forum

Vaughan Open Research Forum is series of talks, workshops and interactive sessions which are open to anyone who is curious and wants to find out more.

Themes for sessions relate to our core teaching topics, arts, humanities, social sciences and counselling, and also discuss adult education and co-operative issues.