22 February 2008
More than a fifth of students are dropping out of university — the same proportion as five years ago, according to the Commons Public Accounts Committee.
Although universities have been given £800m to support student retention over the past five years, the dropout rate 'has not budged from 22%', the MPs found. Around 28,000
full-time and 87,000 part-time students who started first degree courses in 2004/05 were no longer in higher education a year later, says the committee report, published on February 20.
Of full-time students, 91.6% began their second year of study, and 78.1% were expected to finish the course.
'There has been little improvement in retention since 2001/02, though participation in higher education has increased from around 40% to nearly 43% of 18—30 year olds,' the report says.
It notes that wider participation in higher education had attracted more students from under-represented groups who were more likely to drop out. 'These students may need more support to complete their courses.'
Extra academic help for students, plus access to tutors for both academic and pastoral support were important.
Professor Rick Trainor, president of Universities UK, the principals' and vice-chancellors' organisation, said: 'Universities have introduced many initiatives and schemes to help students complete their studies.'
But he acknowledged that there was 'room for improvement in certain areas'.
PFfeb2008
