The following case studies are composed from the life history interviews conducted for the Widening Participation in Higher Education in Ghana and Tanzania research project. Each case is a composite of several research participants' experiences. Material from the 200 students' life history interviews and 200 interviews with staff and policymakers was used. The aim in constructing these case studies was to create material for discussion rather than represent a contextualised reality. Details of place have therefore been removed to focus attention on the issues raised rather than on incidental specifics of geography. Minor details have been altered, where necessary, in order to protect research participants' anonymity. The case studies are intended to provoke discussion about day-to-day professional practice, and institutional and national policy development in higher education (HE).