A project entitled "A Study of Bridging Courses for Women" investigated the curriculum and the context of courses within the further education sector that act as bridging courses for women and explored the needs of and difficulties faced by women who are reentering the labor force. After selecting 12 separate bridging courses as case studies, researchers employed the following methods to examine the courses: interviews held with course tutors and organizers, observation of course teaching, and questionnaires administered to and discussions held with students. Based on data from these sources, project researchers concluded that while bridging courses have had considerable success in providing women with an enjoyable experience, in helping them to return to study, and to regain their self-confidence, it appears that they are less successful in effecting substantial changes in women's attitudes and study or career choices or in helping them with their decision making in these areas. Therefore, project staff made a number of recommendations calling for curricular developments, changes in information and support services, and organizational improvements. These included calls for provision of a more widely based core curriculum of subjects in science and technology topics as well as improvement of course advertisement and outreach activities. (MN)