ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the use of the term non-traditional student across a range of higher education systems. The development of mass higher education systems across the industrialised world, concerns about equity in higher education, has led to changes in the composition of undergraduate student populations. The chapter implies a virtuous relationship between the drivers for a more diverse system and the diverse needs of non-traditional student populations. The challenge for non-traditional students lies not in developing their own social identity in the new learning community. But in striking a balance between their academic and external commitments enables them to reach a level of engagement sufficient to achieve academic success. A further significant issue is that higher education is now framed within an increasingly competitive global market. The positioning of institutions in the market has taken on increasing importance in national and global contexts.
