Improving Access to Higher Education for Underrepresented GroupsÌý
The ÌÇÐĹÙÍø has published a policy briefing paper which examines its commitment to improving access to higher education for underrepresented groups across the Commonwealth, aligned with its equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) priorities and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). Since 2021, the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø has systematically collected EDI data toÌýmonitorÌýprogress and inform action, focusing on four key groups:Ìýwomen, people with limited economic means, persons with disabilities, and forcibly displaced people.Ìý
Between 2021 and 2025, the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø has seen overall increases in both applications from, and scholarship selections to, all four groups. Although year-to-year fluctuations are evident, the overarching trend is positive and provides a strong foundation for continued progress under the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø Strategy 2025–2028, which commits toÌýincreasing the proportion of applicationsÌýfromÌýand awards to underrepresented groups on aÌýyear‑on‑yearÌýbasisÌýwhile sustaining strong gender balance.Ìý
For women, applications and selections have consistently increased over the period, but improving access to higher education for females remains a global priority due to disparity in representation at doctoral and post-doctoral levels. For candidates with limited economic means, application rates remained broadly stable, while the proportion of selected scholars rose markedly, bringing itÌýnearlyÌýinÌýline with the proportion of applications from this group. Applications and selections from persons with disabilities also increased, withÌýdisabled candidates consistently selected at a higher rate than their share of applications.Ìý Representation of forcibly displaced people rose from a low baseline, reflecting growing recognition of the educational barriers experienced by refugees and others affected by conflict.Ìý
Central to this progress is the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø’s collaboration with national governments and specialist NGO nominating partners, including Forum for African Women Educationalists, HALIÌýAccess Network, the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum,Ìýand Windle Trust International. The paper concludes that continued UK Government funding is essential to sustain and expand these effortsÌýto support UK development priorities andÌýenableÌýhigh‑potentialÌýcandidatesÌýfrom across the CommonwealthÌýto access higher education.Ìý
The full policy brief can be read here.ÌýÌý