Techniques to help universities identify the potential for success among a wider range of applicants to higher education are outlined in a new report to be published next week.

The report outlines the findings of a two-year project carried out at six higher education institutions across England.

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "Universities want to ensure that as many people as possible who can benefit from higher education are given the best opportunity to do so.

"The ultimate aim is to make the admissions process less of a potential barrier to entry, and encourage participation of more young people from backgrounds under-represented in higher education. There is a continuing debate about the many routes through which this can be achieved."

Forum Response: UCET

A spokeswoman for UCET told ePolitix.com: "UCET is well aware of the need to have teachers from across the whole spectrum of society. That means finding all possible ways of encouraging and enabling everyone with the potential to succeed, to have access to higher education and from there to move into initial teacher education and training.

"If the criteria and techniques identified in the UUK report can help admissions tutors in this task, they are much to be welcomed."