The term 'digital divide' is commonly used to describe the differing levels of accessibility of technology, or technological infrastructure, for specific communities.

Initiatives to tackle the digital divide in Scotland had been developed and piloted before March 2020, but the move to 'digital first' delivery during the first UK-wide Covid -19 pandemic lockdown resulted in an emphasis on supporting an accessible, holistic, digital student learning experience. This resulted in a renewed focus on the impact of digital exclusion on disadvantaged student communities.

The digital divide is a global issue, and much can be learned from existing international practice. This report is based on a scan of practice from 29 higher education institutions across the globe, including the USA, Canada, South Africa, the EU, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.