2. Access to Higher Education and the Social Contract Education is a key indicator of future life chances and opportunities, in particular for children and young people Smyth and McCoy (2011) EVIDENCE Equity of access to higher education is a social and equality imperative, but is also an economic imperative (HEA, 2014) RATIONALE Access to education is still highly differentiated. Where you live, what your parents do and the school that you go to matters REALITY This differentiation exists throughout the education cycle but is manifested most obviously at the point of entry to higher education CONTINIUM

3. Access to Higher Education and a Meaningful Social Contract Equitable access to higher education - Social Contract Financial Framework with policies that support national objectives National Strategy making best use of existing resources Leadership from Higher Education Sector Identifying and Addressing Barriers Supports targeted and focussed on the most disadvantaged