Why is retention important

1
Why is retention important?

• Widening participation makes student retention
  more important than ever
• Non-completion rates in UK HE around 17
• Existing research suggests that 1st year most
  significant period in retention

2
Research

• 23 detailed interviews conducted with JMU
  students
• Registered between 1997 2003 in MCCA, Social
  Sciences Art School
• Subsequently failed or withdrawn in first year

3
When did they decide to leave?

• Most by Xmas break
• 7 of 23 had serious doubts within first 2 weeks
• Most extreme student who enrolled but never
  attended

4
Why did they decide to leave?

• Usually for a combination of reasons
• Most frequent dissatisfaction with course
• 3 left because of personal reasons
• Only one cited finance (combined with health
  reasons)

5
Dissatisfaction with course

• LJMU usually first choice
• City its attractions significant factor
• 19 of 23 said choice of course or course content
  was contributory feature
• Only 6 of these 19 expressed any dissatisfaction
  with lecturers or teaching methods

6
Accommodation/home-based students

• Accommodation can contribute
• Standard usually high in halls but layout can be
  a problem
• Half of home-based students felt they missed out
  on student experience
• Finance often main reason for staying at home

7
Leaving process

• 9 of 23 did not discuss decision with any member
  of staff
• Only 3 consulted Student Support
• Usually wrote in to School Office
• Generally no further contact

8
Further study?

• 13 of 23 gone on to further study (usually
  degree)
• Only 3 gone on to significantly different course
• 3 returned to LJMU

9
Conclusions

• Early weeks induction process are crucial
• Students need to know Personal Tutor support
  available as soon as possible
• Prospective students need to be as well informed
  as possible about course content stagger info
  delivery

10
Conclusions

• Information about accommodation should be clear
  price comparisons available
• Mentoring schemes, particularly for home-based
  students?
• Consider leaving process more detailed
  withdrawal form/exit interview

11
What are other universities doing?

• Napier University 10 yr project
  www.napier.ac.uk/qes/srp.asp
• Booklets/Diagnostic test/Diary
• STAR PROJECT (Student Transition Retention)

12
The future?

• Retention likely to become more important
• Has to be part of long term strategy
• Need to take a holistic approach
• Transition identifying at risk
• Student support
• Involving all who work at university