The potential benefits and challenges of personalising UK higher education

The aim of personalisation is to “promote personal development through self-realisation, self-enhancement and self-development” in the learner (Leadbeater, 2004, p. 16). The aim of this study was to investigate personalisation in UK higher education from the perspectives of both academics and students in two universities that offered hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism (HLST) degrees. The findings identified potential benefits such as enhanced student motivation, satisfaction and achievement. However, it also identified a number of challenges, including the attitudes of staff and students, which must be overcome if potential benefits are to be achieved.