ABSTRACT
The purpose of the case studies is to explore work-based learning by discovering what those in employment experienced when they attempted to gain a higher education qualification. From the learner perspective, the strongest messages seem to be about the importance of the mentor relationship and the integration of business as well as the workplace. The workplace integration comes usually through the learner making a careful choice of project work which unites the work and academic objectives. However, where the employer has developed the programme with the university, this unification is already designed into the course and the learner does not have to make a judgement. For the higher education institution, the key pointers seem to be around the provision of an efficient, responsive, administrative support system, as well as the choice of tutors and mentors with relevant workplace experience. Therefore the higher education institution needs to ensure it provides what is actually required, not what it is used to delivering.
