Massification of higher education in the Europe Region is no longer a policy objective but a reality. This new situation involves new challenges. The Forum attempted to approach the complex problems of “mass access” in higher education in relation to issues of equity, quality and excellence, focusing on quantitative and qualitative trends and reflecting on new developments affecting access, such as the imperatives of lifelong learning, international mobility, demographic transformation and migration.

When investigating the various implications of expansion of higher education in terms of equity, participation, retention or success, the Forum will consider the existing comprehensive work undertaken in the area - such as that by OECD in its Thematic Review of Tertiary Education, 2008. The Forum continueed the discussion proposed by OECD concerning various policy developments options for increasing access to higher education with due attention to equity issues - assessing the extent and origin of equity issues to diversifying criteria for admission, expanding distance learning opportunities; sustaining efforts to ensure gender parity at all levels of higher education; and placing emphasis on equity of outcomes^[1].

 Discussion paper:

Peter Scott:

"Access in Higher Education in Europe and North America: Trends and Developments"