1 Understanding the experiences of educationally disadvantaged students in higher education. Understanding the experiences of educationally disadvantaged students in higher education. Paper presented in track 5 at the EAIR 36 th Annual Forum in Essen, Germany 27-30 August 2014 Name of Author(s) Ms Elza Lourens Prof Magda Fourie Dr Ndlovu Mdutshekelwa Contact Details Ms Elza Lourens Stellenbosch University Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602 South Africa E-mail: el3@sun.ac.za Key words Student experiences, widening access/participation, diversity