Going to university was once seen as only for people from better-off families. This is no longer the case. More students are going into HE than ever before, including people of all ages, and from all backgrounds and walks of life. Aimhigher is a national programme of activities to encourage all young people with the potential to go on to higher education to 'aim higher' and achieve that potential.

The Aimhigher West Partnership is a partnership of universities, colleges, schools and other key organisations such as Learning & Skills Councils and Local Education Authorities in the 'West' Area, stretching from Gloucestershire in the north, down to Bridgwater in Somerset. The West Area is one of three Area partnerships which make up Aimhigher South West.

The vision of the Partnership is to provide a distinctive and collaborative programme of activities, focusing on progression to Higher Education by under-represented groups, and appropriate to the needs of the area covered by the Partnership.