Table 5.

Open comment references to enablers.

Enabler category	Theme	Coded references	Example
Environment	Negative life circumstances	1	‘Being retired!’
	OU systems, comms and support	33	‘Big white wall’, ‘The student support team. Always available and very understanding’, ‘DSA mentor’
	People	49	‘I feel that my dad and stepmum and mum have been very proud of me which has boosted my self confidence’
	Spaces, distance	30	‘A familiar environment while studying has helped’
Skills	Confidence and identity	84	‘It makes me feel like my life is “going somewhere”’, ‘the status of being a postgraduate student instead of a crazy benefit claimant’, ‘I feel proud that I’m studying and getting good marks. I’m possibly a lot smarter than I think I am. I’ve more confidence in my own abilities.’
	Study skills	5	‘Building skills and giving me something to do at home’
Study	Assessment, deadlines, feedback	32	‘The deadlines to ensure I have been keeping on track’, ‘being reassured with my high marks, helped my anxiety’
	Curriculum	75	‘Just the study is a distraction from other problems in my life.’ ‘Learning new material was exciting. I found the readings and activities very interesting.’
	Tuition	75	‘My tutor has been brilliant and the tutorials have helped immensely’