This report examines, country by country, the present state of student access to higher education institutions in the Member States of the European Community (EC), as well as the elements which affect access directly and the elements which can potentially have an effect on access. Volume 1 of the report gives an overview of the methods of data collection and discusses each of the elements affecting educational access for EC exchange and transfer students as well as national students. These elements are as follows: the entry requirements and limitations; the recognition of foreign certificates, degrees, and periods of study; the application and registration procedures; language requirements; tuition fees; student grants; entry and residence regulations; health insurance; cost of living; accommodations; and academic and social guidance. Volume 2 of the report presents information detailing each country's situation relative to each of the elements affecting educational access. A section of "final remarks" from volume 1 discusses the imbalance of student flow and the financing of higher education, unequal entry requirements, language barriers, the lack of information on foreign EC students, and the problem of the non-university sector of higher education. Appendices include a checklist for governmental and academic representatives to help guide them in assessing educational access within their own organizations and countries as it applies to national, foreign EC, short-term EC, and transfer students. Data for the following countries is included: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. (GLR)