Levelling the Playing Field: Improving Access and Inclusion via Micro-Credentials

Higher education faces significant challenges, including unequal access for students from low-income and marginalised backgrounds. This presentation explores how micro-credentials can enhance accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. Drawing on Ireland’s National MicroCreds project, we demonstrate how flexible, affordable, and high-quality learning opportunities can be created. By integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, micro-credentials can address diverse student needs, promoting lifelong learning and professional development. This approach not only benefits marginalized groups but enriches the educational experience for all students.