Enterprise Education and Part‐time Students

It was found through a student survey using questionnaires and group interviews at the University of Northumbria that an increased emphasis on skills development and active teaching and learning methods introduced through the Enterprise in Higher Education Initiative was more problematic for part‐time than for full‐time students. This seemed paradoxical since part‐time students have greater life experience to draw on and strong links with the world of work. This article aims to stimulate thinking about the particular needs of part‐time students. If enterprise education is to be successful for them, attention needs to be paid to their motivations for studying and their views of learning. Explicit recognition of their existing levels of knowledge and skills is helpful. Course activities which encourage students to link their working situation and their academic learning are of vital importance.