Issues pertaining to access to higher education in Great Britain are considered in seven papers. Medium- and long-term policy issues concerning the demand for and access of British residents to higher education at the undergraduate level are reviewed by Oliver Fulton, who also outlines policies to increase demand and improve access, along with research and information needs. Recent trends in the number and characteristics of people qualifying for and beginning courses of higher education in England and Wales are examined by John H. Farrant. Martin Trow considers access from a comparative perspective, considering in particular Great Britain, which has high standards and constrained access, and the United States, which has easy access and problematic achievement. Alan Gordon examines the range of factors influencing the educational choices of young people between the ages of 15 and 18, including social factors, the influence of school-related factors, and the effects of economic variables. Geoffrey Squires reviews factors affecting educational demand by mature students, and examines the role of policy on the demand equation. After introductory comments by Oliver Fulton, Ernest Rudd considers demand for and access to postgraduate study, full-time and part-time study, reasons for postgraduate study, and student selection. Additionally, after an introduction by Oliver Fulton, Maureen Woodhall addresses demand and access to higher education by overseas students. Bibliographies are included for the individual papers. (SW)