This article examines the barriers to accessing teacher education for students from excluded groups both theoretically and in practice – using two examples: one in the North West of England and the second in Queensland, Australia. The findings reveal that expanding the diversity of the teaching profession is an important way in which higher education (HE) institutions can contribute to the overall goal of widening participation in HE as schools are fundamental to shaping who participates in HE. As the gap between the rich and poor widens, the authors argue that it is time for a change in the way potential student teachers access HE and the curriculum if we are to address the needs of under-represented learners.