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Undergraduate drop-out rate falls to 7.4% Undergraduate drop-out rate falls to 7.4%
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The number of students dropping out of university has fallen steeply, official figures show, possibly because young people are trying to protect themselves from a fiercely competitive job market.The number of students dropping out of university has fallen steeply, official figures show, possibly because young people are trying to protect themselves from a fiercely competitive job market.
The most recent statistics – from 2010-11 – show 7.4% of full-time undergraduates quit their degrees within a year of starting their courses. The previous year, the figure was 8.6%.The most recent statistics – from 2010-11 – show 7.4% of full-time undergraduates quit their degrees within a year of starting their courses. The previous year, the figure was 8.6%.
However, there is a wide discrepancy between universities. At the University of the West of Scotland, the drop-out rate was 23%, while at London Metropolitan it was 16.6%. At Cambridge, it was 1.3% and at Oxford and Exeter, it was 1.7%.However, there is a wide discrepancy between universities. At the University of the West of Scotland, the drop-out rate was 23%, while at London Metropolitan it was 16.6%. At Cambridge, it was 1.3% and at Oxford and Exeter, it was 1.7%.
Dr Emma Tominey, a lecturer in economics at the University of York, said the lower drop-out rate could be due to students being wary of the job market.Dr Emma Tominey, a lecturer in economics at the University of York, said the lower drop-out rate could be due to students being wary of the job market.
"It is hard enough for a graduate to get a job," she said. "It is even harder if you have dropped out of university." She added that those who entered the job market during a recession tend to have lower wages and more job insecurity throughout their careers. "It is hard enough for a graduate to get a job," she said. "It is even harder if you have dropped out of university." She added that those who entered the job market during a recession tended to have lower wages and more job insecurity throughout their careers.
Professor Les Ebdon, the government's university access tsar, said universities and colleges were working harder to ensure students completed their studies. "It is encouraging to see that rates of retention are already moving in the right direction," he said. Prof Les Ebdon, the government's university access tsar, said universities and colleges were working harder to ensure students completed their studies. "It is encouraging to see that rates of retention are already moving in the right direction," he said.