| Title: |
'Everything Was up in the Air': A Qualitative Study Exploring the Disruption of the COVID-19 Pandemic for UK University Students and Post-COVID-19 Recommendations |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Rosie E. Allen (ORCID 0000-0002-7903-6094); Chathurika Kannangara (ORCID 0000-0001-6955-8158); Charlotte Conn (ORCID 0000-0001-7054-5143); Beverley Heyworth (ORCID 0009-0009-9203-5967); Jerome Carson (ORCID 0000-0002-7596-116X) |
| Source: |
Journal of Further and Higher Education. 2025 49(7):899-918. |
| Availability: |
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
20 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Foreign Countries; Higher Education; COVID-19; Pandemics; College Students; Student Experience; Online Courses; School Closing; Student Attitudes; Attitude Change; Peer Relationship; Well Being; Barriers; Learner Engagement; Educational Opportunities; Academic Support Services |
| Geographic Terms: |
United Kingdom |
| DOI: |
10.1080/0309877X.2025.2509576 |
| ISSN: |
0309-877X; 1469-9486 |
| Abstract: |
Disruption to higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic caused several challenges for university students, as they were forced to adjust to new teaching and learning styles. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted university students' learning experiences and education. This study took a phenomenological methodological approach in an attempt to understand students' experiences from their own perspective. Semi-structured interviews were then carried out with 19 university students from the UK between 9 May 2022 - 26 June 2022. The main themes that emerged through thematic analysis were: (1) A lack of engagement with online learning; (2) Changes in attitudes towards learning; (3) A lack of practical learning opportunities; (4) Changes to academic support; (5) Limited interaction with peers; (6) Implications for health and well-being. This study provides a deeper student-centred understanding of university students' lived experiences with online learning during the pandemic, revealing underexplored contextual, emotional and relational dimensions of online learning. These rich qualitative findings not only enhance current understanding of higher education during the pandemic but can be drawn upon to shape digitised learning moving forward. As we are progressing in an era of increasing digitised learning, these findings contribute towards laying the groundwork for future policy and practice within higher education. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1501363 |
| Database: |
ERIC |