The concept of the independent learner has become increasingly important within the higher education sector. However, there appears to be no consensus and rarely any clarification of what is meant by the term. As a result, students may fail to understand what is expected of them as independent learners, with implications for retention, progression and the student experience. This paper describes a research project that aimed to clarify what students and staff understood by the phrase. The results suggest that while most staff and students were familiar and comfortable with the concept, there remains potential for misunderstanding and confusion. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)