The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word LEARNING
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result LEARNING
- Letters Heather's about to bring in
- Student acquiring knowledge
- Inclined to accept roentgen unit study
- What student may be doing bent round teacher’s back
- Finding out alternative to large inn
- Pupil winning scholarship
- Lecturer getting paid for knowledge
- Wastrel finally getting paid for work and gaining skills
- King’s boring tendency to show knowledge
- Inclination to secure right education
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LEARNING mean?
LEARNING verb- To acquire, or attempt to acquire knowledge or an ability to do something.
- To attend a course or other educational activity.
- To gain knowledge from a bad experience so as to improve.
- To study.
- To come to know; to become informed of; to find out.
- To teach.
- An act in which something is learned.
- Accumulated knowledge.
- Something that has been learned