ABSTRACT
The move to a mass higher education system means not just more students but also very different types of students, including many more part-time students who have to balance work and study commitments. Part-time students can feel very isolated from each other and have little chance in their limited time in college to discuss the course informally. This case study is of a part-time business studies course where staff helped students to create self-help groups which support each other through the course. This independent strategy is one that could also be adapted to courses for full-time students. Such self-help groups can take much of the tutorial and counselling load off staff. However, staff need to give guidance and support to students so they can run their groups effectively.
