From passing the exam to self-actualisation: different ways of conceptualising success among students in online higher education

This article discusses the results of phenomenographic research on online students’ conceptualisations of success in two online programmes. Through in-depth conversations, fifteen adult students were able to express their voices on success. I applied the eight-step data analysis process to uncover in-depth variations that existed among participants. The students articulated qualitatively different perspectives on success, ranging from the formal perspective on success as obtaining satisfactory exam results and gaining a degree, understanding, improvement in their professional practice, an opportunity to open more doors, and, finally, self-actualisation. The discussion of the findings problematises the simplistic understanding of success based on accounts of adult students and oppose a predominant, functional view on adult learning as a “second chance”. Furthermore, this article provides empirical evidence on “soft” outcomes of online learning that are valued and sought by adult students, such as meaningful learning, growth and development, and self-realisation.