A SCOTTISH university has seen the largest increase in dropout rates over the last five years, according to new data.
Research carried out by PA found that two-thirds of universities and colleges in the UK reported an increase, with Abertay University in Dundee seeing an 8.6 percentage point rise over the period, from 3.5% in 2011/12 to 12.1% in 2016/17.
The data is from the five-year period starting in 2011/12 – the year tuition fees in England were trebled to £9000. It reveals that 100 UK institutions (67%) saw an increase in the proportion of students dropping out. At just under a third (31%), some 46 institutions, non-continuation rates fell during this period, while at four universities and colleges the proportionremained static.
In England, the University of Bedfordshire had the biggest increase in non-continuation rates, at 6.9 percentage points. The figures come at a time when universities are under greater scrutiny and pressure to be more transparent about areas such as dropout rates and graduate outcomes.
One expert said that students can end up feeling demoralised if university does not work out for them, but that leaving early does not mean that they should not have gone at all.
A spokesperson for Abertay University said the institution is introducing measures to improve student retention and using data analysis to pinpoint early warning signs that a student may be experiencing difficulties and may need support.
The spokesperson added that Abertay has one of the highest proportions of disadvantaged students in Scotland and that more than a third of students arrive at the university from college into the second or third year of a degree.
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