Time and study: Open Foundation female students' integration of study with family, work and social obligations

Adult women over the age of 20 years are one cohort being offered the opportunity to undertake the Open Foundation equity program to gain entry to university, However, research shows that women's social responsibilities associated with marriage and parenting reduce the likelihood of their enrolling in higher education, The ABS Time Use Survey 1997 (1998) shows that despite increases in women's enrolment in higher education and labour force participation rates, women continue to do 66 per cent of the unpaid work in Australia, This suggests that study may represent an extra commitment for mature-age female students, Age, stage in the life cycle, level of emotional and economic support, educational enrolment and paid work status have all been identified as variables which impact on women's ability to succeed in higher education. Through the use ofa survey and focus groups, this study seeks to examine the time patterns ofadult Women in a preparatory higher education course. The aim ofthe study is to gain information to design strategies, which will enable females enrolled in Open Foundation courses to succeed. The process of identifying and accommodating areas of educational disadvantage is fundamental to transforming policies of equity and access into practice.