35% of Australian uni students are part-time. But higher ed is still geared towards full-timers
Part-time students are more than twice as likely to drop out of university than their full-time peers. How can unis better support this vulnerable group?
A significant portion of Australian university students, 35%, are part-time learners, yet the higher education system continues to cater primarily to full-time students. This disparity in support systems leads to challenges for part-time students, who often have demanding jobs, caring responsibilities, and face higher dropout rates compared to their full-time counterparts.
Universities have not adapted to accommodate the unique needs of part-time students, resulting in difficulties in time allocation, fitting classes around other commitments, and connecting with peers.
The report highlights that part-time students are six percentage points less likely to pass and complete their degrees, and experience a 15 percentage point lower retention rate than full-time students. Part-time students express a desire for more engagement from lecturers, flexibility in course materials, and understanding of their unique circumstances.
Many suggest implementing a no-questions-asked extension policy for assignments, offering part-time opportunities for mandatory practical placements, and providing better guidance on suitable study patterns. Additionally, financial support for part-time students should be improved, as they currently pay taxes on scholarships and do not receive student public transport discounts.
To better support part-time students, universities must start designing their systems to cater to their needs more effectively.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
