Understanding the coaching experiences of non-traditional students in Higher Education in the UK

Abstract

In coaching there is a lack of research that focuses specifically on the coaching experiences non-traditional students during their undergraduate studies in the UK. This heuristic inquiry research draws upon the experiences of nine non-traditional students to gain a better understanding of the role of coaching in supporting them during their undergraduate studies. Participants reported that coaching was free of judgement, enabled action and improved motivation. The study identified nuances in the coaching experience and suggests that certain conditions need to be created for non-traditional students to embark on a coaching conversation.