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| £800m 'has not cut drop-out rate' | £800m 'has not cut drop-out rate' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| More than a fifth of students still drop out of university courses in England and Wales despite £800m spent tackling the problem, MPs have said. | More than a fifth of students still drop out of university courses in England and Wales despite £800m spent tackling the problem, MPs have said. |
| The public accounts committee said the drop-out rate of 22% was the same as in 2002 when it last covered the issue. | |
| A growing number of students were from poorer backgrounds and were less likely to stay the course, the MPs said, but more had to be done to help them. | A growing number of students were from poorer backgrounds and were less likely to stay the course, the MPs said, but more had to be done to help them. |
| Ministers said UK university retention rates compared well internationally. | Ministers said UK university retention rates compared well internationally. |
| Just getting them through the doors does not represent success Sally HuntUCU general secretary | Just getting them through the doors does not represent success Sally HuntUCU general secretary |
| The committee 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. | The committee 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. |
| But the university umbrella group Universities UK said the figures also had to be seen against the backdrop of a 23% increase in students over the same period. | But the university umbrella group Universities UK said the figures also had to be seen against the backdrop of a 23% increase in students over the same period. |
| The committee says students drop out for a range reasons including physical or mental health problems, dissatisfaction with their course and financial problems. | The committee says students drop out for a range reasons including physical or mental health problems, dissatisfaction with their course and financial problems. |
| They may find higher education was not right for them or face family pressure to quit. | They may find higher education was not right for them or face family pressure to quit. |
| Universities are now attracting around 31% of their students from non-traditional backgrounds, because of attempts to widen participation. | Universities are now attracting around 31% of their students from non-traditional backgrounds, because of attempts to widen participation. |
| These are individuals whose parents work in non-professional and non-managerial jobs and may not have gone to university themselves. | These are individuals whose parents work in non-professional and non-managerial jobs and may not have gone to university themselves. |
| But research shows these students are more likely to drop out and less confident about changing their courses. | But research shows these students are more likely to drop out and less confident about changing their courses. |
| 'More support' | 'More support' |
| However, there are wide variations between universities in the share of students who continue into a second year. | However, there are wide variations between universities in the share of students who continue into a second year. |
| Russell Group universities, those that produce the most research, tend to have higher retention rates than others. | Russell Group universities, those that produce the most research, tend to have higher retention rates than others. |
| INTERNATIONAL TERTIARY EDUCATION 'SURVIVAL' RATES Complicated by wide variations in the type and duration of courses, and access requirements. Some example OECD figures: Australia 67%Czech Republic 65%Finland 71%Germany 73%Japan 91%Netherlands 76%Sweden 60%United Kingdom 78%United States 54% | INTERNATIONAL TERTIARY EDUCATION 'SURVIVAL' RATES Complicated by wide variations in the type and duration of courses, and access requirements. Some example OECD figures: Australia 67%Czech Republic 65%Finland 71%Germany 73%Japan 91%Netherlands 76%Sweden 60%United Kingdom 78%United States 54% |
| In 2004-05, five universities had a continuation rate of 97% for full-time first degree students, whereas 12 had continuation rates of below 87%. | In 2004-05, five universities had a continuation rate of 97% for full-time first degree students, whereas 12 had continuation rates of below 87%. |
| The Higher Education Funding Council says there are valid explanations for these variations - mainly that different institutions have different types of students. | The Higher Education Funding Council says there are valid explanations for these variations - mainly that different institutions have different types of students. |
| The funding council gives each university a retention target which takes into account the nature of the students who attend it. | The funding council gives each university a retention target which takes into account the nature of the students who attend it. |
| But the MPs said the council should agree specific improvement plans with universities that have consistently low retention rates. | But the MPs said the council should agree specific improvement plans with universities that have consistently low retention rates. |
| The committee also found that some students felt academic and pastoral support was limited and did not meet their needs. | The committee also found that some students felt academic and pastoral support was limited and did not meet their needs. |
| Personal tutoring should be given a high priority, with tutors being given training for the role, it added. | Personal tutoring should be given a high priority, with tutors being given training for the role, it added. |
| It also said information on why students withdrew from courses was not reliable and often incomplete. | It also said information on why students withdrew from courses was not reliable and often incomplete. |
| Committee chairman Edward Leigh said more students were being recruited from backgrounds and schools where university was not previously thought to be an option. | Committee chairman Edward Leigh said more students were being recruited from backgrounds and schools where university was not previously thought to be an option. |
| "But these are the very students who are more likely to leave early. | "But these are the very students who are more likely to leave early. |
| "Universities must get better at providing the kind of teaching and support services that students from under-represented groups need." | "Universities must get better at providing the kind of teaching and support services that students from under-represented groups need." |
| Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said student retention rates in England compared well internationally. | Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said student retention rates in England compared well internationally. |
| A university education was open to more students than ever before and there were significant achievements in maintaining retention rates for students. | A university education was open to more students than ever before and there were significant achievements in maintaining retention rates for students. |
| But he accepted that there was more to do and welcomed the committee's suggestions. | But he accepted that there was more to do and welcomed the committee's suggestions. |
| 'Wasted money' | 'Wasted money' |
| National Union of Students president Gemma Tumelty said it was not enough for poorer students to be encouraged to enter university - they had to be supported so that they could complete their courses. | National Union of Students president Gemma Tumelty said it was not enough for poorer students to be encouraged to enter university - they had to be supported so that they could complete their courses. |
| University and College Union general secretary Sally Hunt said: "Just getting them through the doors does not represent success." | University and College Union general secretary Sally Hunt said: "Just getting them through the doors does not represent success." |
| Shadow higher education minister Rob Wilson said: "Widening participation and improving retention rates must be priorities, but the government is currently wasting taxpayers' money while student debt is soaring." | Shadow higher education minister Rob Wilson said: "Widening participation and improving retention rates must be priorities, but the government is currently wasting taxpayers' money while student debt is soaring." |
| Liberal Democrat universities spokesman Stephen Williams said more reliable information was needed on why students were dropping out. | Liberal Democrat universities spokesman Stephen Williams said more reliable information was needed on why students were dropping out. |
| "Particular attention will have to be paid to the effect of the huge financial pressures many students face," he added. | "Particular attention will have to be paid to the effect of the huge financial pressures many students face," he added. |