Student attrition rate improving

Australian universities can celebrate a vast improvement in the student attrition rate.

The latest data shows that the 2016 attrition rate is lower than it was in 2005.

Universities are trumpeting a sizeable improvement in the student attrition rate as proof that institutions are succeeding in their goal to ensure more students stick with higher education once they embark on it.

The latest official federal government data shows that the attrition rate of first-year students was 14.32 per cent in 2016, down by 0.65 percentage points from a year earlier when it was 14.97 per cent.

Universities have struggled to keep the attrition rate down since the large influx of students into bachelor degree courses following the full introduction of the demand-driven system in 2012, which removed the caps from the number of bachelor students universities could enrol.

But, with more students coming to university who were less prepared academically, the attrition rate grew from 12.66 per cent in 2011 to a high of 15 per cent in 2014. The latest data shows the 2016 attrition rate is lower than it was in 2005.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said it was a big achievement to keep student attrition in check while expanding access to university to more people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Since 2008, the uncapped system of university places opened the doors of opportunity to nearly a quarter of a million more Australians,” she said.

The attrition rate — which is calculated as the proportion of first-year students who failed to make it to second year — varies sharply from university to university. The 2016 rate measures the proportion of students starting that year who dropped out that year or did not return last year.

2016 attrition rates for selected universities

Universities that attract students with the highest ATAR scores generally have a low attrition rate. For example, the University of Melbourne had an attrition rate of 4 per cent in 2016 while the University of New England, which has a very high proportion of online students, had an attrition rate of 22.8 per cent.

Earlier this year a Grattan Institute report on student attrition found, not surprisingly, that the chances of completing a degree that had been begun are lower for students with lower ATAR scores. It is also lower for students who study part time, who are often older students trying to juggle study with work and family commitments.

Completion rates are also lower for online students, many of whom are studying part time.

The Grattan report also found that course completion rates were lower for students studying IT, engineering, humanities and creative arts than for other disciplines. They are highest for students studying medicine, nursing and other health subjects.

Universities have worked hard to reduce attrition rates, even as enrolments have expanded to include more at-risk groups. Their IT platforms, or learning management systems, signal when students are falling behind, and many have programs to offer extra support and encouragement to students who need extra assistance.

Many commencing students who do not make it to second year decide to return to higher education later.

Ms Jackson said the top five reasons students pulled out of study were beyond the control of students and their universities.

“It usually comes down to personal circumstances,” she said.

“Work, caring responsibilities, financial hardship, illness — these all play a major role.”