Introduction: Adult Education in Higher Education in the UK

Higher education in the UK is often criticised for not being inclusive enough of those who often feel that they are at the margins of society. It has been argued that policies and practices which seek to widen access should be tailored towards better inclusion of people from all backgrounds. However, despite a policy drive to widen participation and access to higher education, the internal culture and narrative of elitism and profit-focused approaches are at odds with the aims of widening access. This has resulted in reinforcement of inequalities within higher education, where the focus remains on the profitable young student demographic at the expense of participation by non-traditional students such as adult learners. This is a particularly pressing issue, and more needs to be done if greater equality and widening access is to be truly achieved across all demographics of society. This chapter contextualises the topics covered in the book, provides key definitions, and outlines the chapters to come.