The notion of ‘fair access’ has its roots in liberal concerns to promote access to higher education to individuals from ‘disadvantaged’ backgrounds who are deemed to have high levels of potential ability. In recent years, admissions policies and practice have become an explicit focus of national policy in the UK, underpinned by concerns to promote fair access to all students recognised as having the potential to benefit from HE. This seminar presented research on admissions practices in a range of fields to examine and critique current frameworks for admissions to higher education and access to the professions. We were delighted to welcome as speakers to the event: Jean Dillon, Senior lecturer in Social Work at Middlesex University, Sunita Morris, Senior Lecturer in Nursing and a University Teaching Fellow at Leeds Metropolitan University, Jacinta Elliott, a Director of Elliott Walker Consultancy and Dr Rachel Davis, an independent consultant working in access to the professions.