This volume is the first to compile the insights of experienced and informed education researchers and practitioners involved in the delivery of university pathway programs. These programs have emerged as effective responses to global, national and local students’ needs when transitioning to Higher Education. The book opens with an overview of the main drivers for the development of university pathway programs, and a description of the main characteristics of such programs, as well as of the different types of programs available. It examines topics such as the way in which policy and governance issues at the institutional, state, and federal level affect university pathway programs’ financial models, compliance and quality assurance mechanisms as well as program provision. It also looks at how to address issues related to 'non-traditional' background students such as those from lower socioeconomic background, students for whom English is an additional language (EAL), indigenous students, mature age students and humanitarian entrants. The volume showcases thirteen university pathway programs offered in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Qatar, and the United Kingdom. These examples provide valuable insights that will help guide future practice in the field as the programs described effectively foster and support the development of students’ academic literacies, study skills and awareness of the socio-cultural norms that are necessary to participate successfully in higher education settings. In reporting the strategies to overcome challenges in the areas of curriculum development and implementation, of equity, inclusion and participation, of cross-sector collaboration and of student welfare, the volume promotes reflection on these issues and, therefore, better equips those education practitioners embarking on the university pathway program journey.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 - University Pathway Programs: a response to global, national and local needs in students’ transition to Higher Education.- 1. University Pathway Programs: Types, Origins, Aims and Defining Traits.- 2. Positioning Pathways Provision within Global and National Contexts.- Part 2 - The Role of University Pathway Programs in Addressing Issues Related to Access, Equity, Inclusion and Participation in Higher Education.- 3. The use of enabling programs as a pathway to higher education by disadvantaged students in Australia.- 4. Great Expectations: African Youth from Refugee Backgrounds and the Transition to University.- 5. Alternative access to tertiary science study in South Africa: Dealing with 'disadvantage', student diversity, and discrepancies in graduate success.- 6. Huakina mai te tatau o tōu whare: Opening university doors to indigenous students.- 7. Qatar University Foundation Program: A Means to Access Higher Education and a Pathway for Transformation.- 8. Come one, come all: The question of open entry in enabling programs.- Part 3 - Transitions from the Vocational to the Higher Education Sector.- 9. Filling the Skills Gap in Australia – VET Pathways.- 10. The TAFE/VET pathways student experience in Higher Education.- 11. Seamless segues from Polytechnic to University: A New Zealand case study of a dual provider partnership.- Part 4 - Issues of Curriculum and Pedagogy in University Preparation Programs.- 12. Pathways and praxis: designing curriculum for aspirational programs.- 13. Students on the threshold: Commencing student perspectives and enabling pedagogy.- Part 5 - Internationalisation and Privatisation of University Pathway Programs.- 14. Quality and innovation for international pathway programs: good practice and recommendations for the future in the UK context and beyond.- 15. Canada’s First International Partnership for a Pathway Program.