March 17, 2022

University Students Drop-Out Rates Higher Due to the Pandemic?

W With the pandemic continuing to take a toll globally, millions of students are at the receiving end. Even with schools and universities now reopening, there’s been some drastic changes in the lives of the students. For instance, a high rate of university drop-outs recorded in the UK as per the records of Student Loans Company.

Thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have withdrawn from their university courses. The Student Loans Company has received thousands of loan withdrawals, a 28% annual increase in withdrawals in England and a 62% annual increase in withdrawals in Wales. The lecturers have also reported a higher number of absences.

…it is so greatly welcome to see that for the first time, it is projected over 90% of students will complete a qualification – the highest rate ever recorded…

However, the Department for Education (DfE) counters Student Loans Company’s records by suggesting that this may not be entirely true. According to the Department for Education, there’s been less than 1.5% withdrawals as compared to 1 million undergraduate students receiving student loans (2021-22 academic year). Their focus is on the continuation rate which states that just 9.4% of the full-time first degree entrants in the UK are estimated to leave Higher Education.

“I have long argued that when it comes to university, getting on is every bit as important as getting in, and that universities must focus on tackling drop-out rates among students. That is why it is so greatly welcome to see that for the first time, it is projected over 90% of students will complete a qualification – the highest rate ever recorded,” said hopeful Michelle Donelan, the minister for higher and further education.

Posted in News and tagged News, England, COVID-19, Higher Education, UK
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