Working in groups with other students is typically part of university study. Quite a few students worry about it, and some have real challenges with it. This page looks at the main issues people have with group work and gives you some practical tips.

Group work came up a lot in the Autism&Uni surveys. Some people found it really useful for helping them develop skills they needed for work and social life. Other people really struggled with it, especially if they felt that they were doing more work than other students.

This is a common issue for non-autistic people, too. There is no perfect way to put together groups or to make them work well, and it’s something your tutors also find challenging. But group work remains an important part of most university courses, and it is a good idea to prepare yourself for it.

Who will I work with?

There are pros and cons to the different methods tutors can choose for the formation of groups.

Sometimes students are allocated randomly to groups. This can seem fairest, but you can end up with uneven groups that don’t have a good mix of skills and interests.

If students get to choose their own groups it can feel empowering, and it can be a big confidence boost to have a friend or someone you’re comfortable with in the same group as you. But if you find it harder than others to socialise and make friends in class this can be especially daunting, and students may feel left out. Either way, being in a group with your friends doesn’t necessarily mean you will work together well.

Strengths and weaknesses

Everyone brings something unique to a group. Some people are more confident leaders and are good at making things happen. Some people are very creative and can come up with good ideas. Some are brilliant at making sure all the notes get made and meetings get booked. Others are better at bringing the group together and making everyone feel like they are part of a team. Most people have a mixture of talents and preferences, as well as things they can improve on.

Some autistic students enjoy group work more than any other part of their course. Others worry a lot about it. Whether you’re excited or nervous about it, it’s likely you will have to do group work at some point at uni, and it’s better to take a proactive approach so you can make the most out of it

Knowing what you’re good at and being able to express it well, without being arrogant, is an important part of working with others. It’s also important to know what you are less good at, not only so that you can work on improving those skills, but so that you can allow space for others in the group to find their role.

If you are really worried about group work, speak to your Disability & Neurodiversity Advisor and your tutor. There may be reasonable adjustments possible to help you make the most out of group work.

1. If you feel you may require adjustments for group work, speak with your Disability & Neurodiversity Advisor.
2. If you feel comfortable disclosing, tell the group you are autistic and how it affects you.
3. Remember that everyone in the group is going to feel at least a bit nervous, even if it might not seem like it.

• How do you decide who the leader is and who does what?
• How would you divide up work fairly?
• How would you manage group members who aren’t contributing without upsetting anyone?
• What about when someone doesn’t turn up?
• When should you talk to the tutor about problems and what do you need to do first?

Chris Green, Disability & Neurodiversity Advisor, City St George’s