Factors that impact on rural and remote students’ participation in higher education

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the factors that impact on rural and remote students’ participation in higher education at university. The findings indicated that the students were familiar only with university scholarships, tertiary preparation program, and head start. Before admission, most students required information on pathways to university, admission requirements, scholarships, and range of courses and after admission they required information on academic support, tutorial assistance, library and IT services. This paper also suggests that universities need to evaluate the effectiveness of the services they offer to both attract and support rural and remote students to University if participation rates are to be raised.