Opportunities for women's education were increasing during this period. Feminists during the Victorian period had battled to attend university, enter professions such as medicine, and gain basic property rights. During the Edwardian period, women were continuing their on going fight to win the vote, and to advance in higher education and the professions. Both East London College and Westfield College offered new educational opportunities for women.

In the early years of the twentieth century educational provision for women was largely intended to prepare them for a domestic vocation. Women were encouraged to study subjects in the arts or 'domestic sciences', which would prepare them for marriage or, for working-class women, for a life working in-service. Women were also encouraged to enter the 'caring' professions, such as teaching or social work. Religion also influenced the vocations of women and, the idea of Christian women's education led to international links between women's colleges.