Commissioner for Fair Access: annual report 2025/26

Foreword

This is my second report as Commissioner for Fair Access, and the seventh Commissioner report since the Scottish Government acted on the recommendation of the Commission on Widening Access (CoWA) to appoint a Commissioner to provide impartial policy advice to develop best practice, improve the evidence base, and hold to account all those with a role in advancing fair access to higher education.

Having engaged in 203 meetings and events across 2024 and 2025, I am grateful to far too many people to mention individually in a short foreword. However, I wish to acknowledge that the time afforded to me by busy practitioners, office holders, and sector leaders has been greatly appreciated. I own the recommendations and the priorities that are outlined in this report, but these continue to be shaped by the thinking and practice of many.

I firmly believe that fair access is a goal worth pursuing. My measured opinion is that we can achieve fair access, but that the challenge cannot be under-estimated.

I end this foreword by reiterating the simple commitment I made back in 2024. I will endeavour to match your commitment to fashion a nation in which those with ability, and potential ability, from Scotland’s most disadvantaged backgrounds can realise their potential through higher education.

Professor John H. McKendrick

Commissioner for Fair Access