Higher Education Access / Foundation Courses : A research report

Abstract

This review of higher education access/foundation course provision was commissioned by a group representing Higher Education Institutions that deliver access courses, the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the Institutes of Technology Ireland (IoTI), the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT),the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Education & Science.

The need for this research report was created by a discussion paper circulated by National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education in July 2007 which prompted concern among higher education providers of access/foundation courses. This concern acknowledged there was no coherent data available on the entry, retention and progression of students on access/foundation courses in higher education. The report provides an overview of access courses offered across the higher education sector in Ireland. It aims to identify good practice and contribute to national policy formulation.