ABSTRACT
Traditionally, universities had a narrow demographic, with students entering higher education from similar socio-economic groups and having had similar educational experiences. If students are to develop graduate attributes, they need to have opportunities to engage with employers, experience authentic assessment, and participate in pedagogies that promote active engagement and the development of team-working skills. These opportunities need to be developed throughout the student lifecycle and embedded in both curricular and extracurricular activities if students are to be enabled to transition through and out of university into the world of work. Many of the government policies have focused on widening participation to increase both numbers and diversity of a previously demographically narrow student population. Two main factors have dominated the widening participation agenda: the need for a highly educated workforce that can compete in globalised economies; and recognition of the importance of social justice and the provision of opportunity for all.
