Online learning has long been available but has seemingly exploded since Covid-19. Higher Education (HE) institutions have realised available educational technology can support a fully distance offer and non-traditional learners (mature, with busy family or care commitments, geographically and culturally diverse) are looking to invest in their education. Many HE providers have therefore branched out into online education or partnered with Online Programme Management companies (OPMs).   Studies indicate that despite healthy recruitment, attrition in online learning is high (Boston et al, 2019; Shatila, 2024), causing institutions to put in place interventions for improving retention, and investigate ways of encouraging students’…