Colleagues, I am sure you will be interested in this:

From the HEA website:

This study examines students’ perspectives and experiences of independent learning in higher education in the UK. It was commissioned by the HEA and undertaken by the NUS and Liz Thomas Associates LTA between February and July 2015. It built on a previous report on directed independent learning, which focused primarily on the views and practices of academic staff.

The aims of this research study were two-fold:
1. To explore students’ conceptions and experiences of directed independent learning, including how they were made aware of its role in HE, how they were prepared for it within the context of their discipline, and how they have approached it.
2. To disseminate the findings in order to assist disciplines in developing or reinforcing effective practice.

The report discovered remarkable similarities and challenges in the experiences of students from all discipline areas.
Link to the Report:

https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resource/independent-learning-student-perspectives-and-experiences