‘It’s like what we have to do at work’ – The student perspective on encouraging part-time students to engage in co-designing academic skills courses

Abstract

This research explores the student perspective of ways in which one Academic Support Department within a University can encourage part-time working professional students to engage in a ‘Students as Partners’ programme focused on curriculum co-design of an Academic Skills Course.  Collecting qualitative data from focus groups we explore the motivations and barriers for engagement in such programmes. Initial findings show a perception that engaging in partnership work will benefit them personally, academically and professionally. Respondents were keen to engage which suggests that less connected does not necessarily mean less engaged than ‘traditional’ students.  Students’ made many recommendations for how the University can offer partnership activities to give them and their peers the opportunity to participate.