Preparing online postgraduate students for study success

Students who study entirely online have different expectations in regards to engaging with learning and face different challenges to students studying on campus. Similarly, the experience, capabilities and expectations of postgraduate students differ from those of undergraduate students, especially school-leavers. Online and postgraduate cohorts both exhibit high attrition rates, often linked to poor preparation for study and dissatisfaction with learning experiences not tailored to their needs. Yet little attention has been paid to how orientation and transition support might be customised to better accommodate cohort differences. In this paper, we provide a rationale for tailoring resources and support to the unique circumstances of the students who will use them, and provide an example of an online orientation resource designed for postgraduate students studying entirely online.