This paper discusses the evolution and impact of a British policy initiative intended to recognize and regulate part-time access courses for adults at colleges of further education. The development and regulation of the Open College of the North West is considered. (MDM)

A regional program of pre-university courses in northwestern England open to adults with no entry qualifications is discussed. It uses some distance learning techniques but is investigating expansion to technical education through distance learning. The complexities and potential costs of such a substantial directional change are examined. (MSE)