Yr Adran Plant, Addysg, Dysgu Gydol Oes a Sgiliau Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Student Withdrawal from Higher Education Research Research document No: 042/2009 Date of issue: August 2009 Student Withdrawal from Higher Education Audience National and local bodies in Wales concerned with education, training and skills in Wales. Overview The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) strategy document, The Learning Country: Vision into Action states that DCELLS will "…consider… how best to monitor the views of students on a regular basis and to publish the results". This report covers the findings of a literature review of student withdrawal in Higher Education. This report contributes to the wider Customer Research Programme 2007-10. Action None – for information. required Further Julie Owens information Senior Research Analyst Research and Evaluation Branch Knowledge Management Division, DCELLS Welsh Assembly Government Unit 6, St. Asaph Business Park St. Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0LJ Tel: 01745 538540 Fax: 01745 538501 E-mail: [email protected] Additional Can be obtained from Julie Owens at the address above or by copies visiting the Welsh Assembly Government website http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/ research-and-evaluation/customer-research Related None. documents © Crown copyright August 2009 E2040910 Student Withdrawal from Higher Education A report prepared by On behalf of the Department for Children Education Lifelong Learning and Skills of the Welsh Assembly Government May 2009 Contents Introduction..................................................................................................................................................4 Objectives of the study................................................................................................................ 4 Terminology................................................................................................................................. 5 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 6 Context .........................................................................................................................................................8 Characteristics of students at Welsh HEIs................................................................................. 11 Findings from Consultations .....................................................................................................................14 Student withdrawal and non‐completion ................................................................................. 14 Early course changing................................................................................................................ 15 Key issues .................................................................................................................................. 16 Policy initiatives......................................................................................................................... 18 Institutional responses .............................................................................................................. 19 Policy development................................................................................................................... 20 Gaps in knowledge .................................................................................................................... 20 Student Withdrawal ...................................................................................................................................22 Completion and continuation rates .......................................................................................... 22 Characteristics of non‐continuing students .............................................................................. 26 Reasons for withdrawal............................................................................................................. 32 Common reasons for students’ withdrawal from courses.................................................... 35 Factors affecting students’ decision to withdraw ..................................................................... 37 When withdrawal occurs........................................................................................................... 41 Institutional Responses..............................................................................................................................42 HEI initiatives............................................................................................................................. 42 Advice and guidance.............................................................................................................. 44 Conclusions and Recommendations .....................................................................................................47 Implications for further CRP 2007‐2010 research..................................................................... 49 2 Recommendations for future research..................................................................................... 52 References .................................................................................................................................................53 Annex A: Consultation Topic Guide........................................................................................................60 1. Remit and scope of department/branch/organisation.................................................... 60 2. Student drop‐out and non‐completion............................................................................ 60 3. Early course changing....................................................................................................... 60 4. Key issues ......................................................................................................................... 61 5. Relevant policy initiatives/programmes........................................................................... 61 6. Institutional responses..................................................................................................... 62 7. Relevant research undertaken in recent years ................................................................ 62 8. Policy development.......................................................................................................... 63 9. Gaps in knowledge ........................................................................................................... 63 10. Further contacts........................................................................................................... 63 Annex B: Systematic Review....................................................................................................................64 3 Introduction The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) has established a programme of customer research to provide a knowledge base to develop a clear understanding of its markets, customers and potential customers. It is essential that DCELLS has this evidence in order develop “citizen centred services”, as part of the Making the Connections and Beecham agendas. The aims of the programme are: • to understand what motivates customers to learn in order to widen and deepen participation in learning • to understand what customers think of the education and learning services they receive • to identify the learning needs of people GfK NOP, in association with Maguire Policy Research and Arad Consulting, was commissioned to undertake this three year programme of customer research on behalf of DCELLS. During the consultations as part of the inception phase of the Customer Research Programme (CRP) 2007-2010, the issue of people who dropped out of learning was mentioned as one which was worthy of study across all areas of learning, irrespective of where it was delivered (FE, HE, WBL, ACL etc). In particular, the need to gain a better understanding of the reasons for withdrawal and the factors affecting the decision- making process was frequently stated. This report presents the findings of a literature review of student withdrawal from Higher Education (HE) Objectives of the study The overall objective of this study was to undertake a systematic literature review which would inform and underpin subsequent empirical research among Welsh Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It was felt to be important not to duplicate previous research or to commit resources to investigating issues about which there was already a substantial body of evidence and knowledge. Rather, a key objective was to identify areas about which little was known, and where investigation would enhance knowledge and understanding and inform policy. 4 Terminology At the outset, it is worth mentioning the different terminology used for what the title of the study refers to as ‘student withdrawal’. From a student perspective, ‘drop out’ is commonly used, while from a Higher Education Institution (HEI) perspective, the issue is usually referred to as ‘student retention’. As Yorke (2003: p 1) suggests, for both HEIs and policy-makers, economic considerations can underlie their concern over student retention. “Retention is a ‘supply-side’ concept, for understandable supply-side reasons. It is a concept that is important for institutional managers (not least because