This mixed method case study was carried out in the Dublin Institute of Technology, and was conducted with the co-operation of four experienced lecturers of engineering and three groups of first year undergraduate engineering students. The aim of the research was to identify factors which represent barriers to the independent study and learning in these students. Many first year engineering students do not return to college for the second year of their programmes. Many reasons for this are identified in the research, including the failure of students to pass assessments and exams as a result...