. The UFS has a long history of commitment to the goal of increasing participation and providing alternative access routes to counteract the impacts of low quality schooling. The challenge of student under- preparedness for university level is growing at the UFS specifically and nationally. . The UFS currently offers four different access routes to the university, namely, a 3-year mainstream undergraduate programme, a 4- year extended degree programme, a University Preparation Programme (UPP) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). . Since 1993, 4159 students enrolled at the UFS after the UPP year. Since 1996, 1111 degrees have been awarded at the UFS. The UPP pass rate at the end of 2009 following specific focus on student support was 74%. . The UFS has four main projects / programmes to enhance student success. These are: student engagement research, a new academic tutorial programme, student orientation and academic advising.