This article explores the pattern of formal study activities over a period of 11 years for a group of adult learners. It is based on a two-phase study of students who enrolled in 1999 on courses run by the Faculty of Continuing Education at Birkbeck, University of London. Taking a longitudinal perspective, conducted retrospectively for 1994–1999, and prospectively for 2000–2005, it focuses on their study pathways and ‘progression’ over this period, exploring the patterns of participation, and whether these are associated with patterns of study motivations and outcomes. Using quantitative analysis of patterns of over this period, four ‘types' of students were identified: ‘ongoing students’; ‘intermittent students’; ‘resumers' and ‘one-off students’. Certain trends were discernable in terms of the demographic composition of each of these ‘types’, and in terms of study motivation and benefits. However, there was also considerable variability within each of the types, which highlights the extent of diversity among adult learners and the variety of roles played by education in the life course of individuals.
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