Scottish universities register biggest drop-out rises

TWO Scottish universities have registered the greatest student drop-out rate rises in the UK, according to research.

Two out of three UK universities and colleges have seen an increase in non-completion rates for students over five years.

Analysis covering a five-year period from 2011/12 to 2016/17 shows that in some cases drop-out rates have risen by more than five percentage points.

Two of the seven institutions that had an increase of more than five percentage points in the five-year period were in Scotland.

The University of Abertay, Dundee, topped the list, with an 8.6 percentage point rise over this five-year period, from

3.5 per cent in 2011/12 to 12.1% in 2016/17.

And the University of the Highlands and Islands, which has nearly 10,000 students, came second with a 7.9 percentage point rise.

The development comes at a time when Scottish institutions have been trying to improve the further

education experience for students to make sure they get the most out of their time.

And universities have come under greater scrutiny and pressure to be more transparent about areas such as drop-out rates and graduate outcomes.

A spokesman for the University of Abertay said the institution “recognises there is a need to improve student retention” and is introducing measures to do so, including recruiting additional student advisers and using data analysis to pinpoint early warning signs that a student may be experiencing difficulties and need support.

He added that Abertay has one of the highest proportions of disadvantaged students in Scotland, and that more than one-third of students arrive at the university from college into the second or third year of a degree.

“This mean the life experiences of our students are often very different from those elsewhere,” he said.

The Uk-wide examination reveals 100 UK institutions (67%) saw an increase in the proportion of students dropping out.

At just under one-third (31%) – some 46 institutions – non-completion rates fell during this period, while at four universities and colleges the proportion remained static.

The University of the West of Scotland registered the biggest fall in drop-out rates in the UK with an 8.6 percentage point dip.

The new analysis used annual data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for 150 universities and colleges, and covered UK full-time undergraduate students who were no longer in higher education the year after they started their course.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The latest data from the Higher

Education Statistics Agency shows retention rates at

Scottish universities continued to improve for the third consecutive year, outperforming the UK as a whole.

“Our commitment to widening access and free tuition to higher education means that, unlike elsewhere in the UK, Scottish students studying in Scotland do not incur additional debt of up to £27,000.

“We are investing a record amount in student support.”