Fewer dropouts, more state students

Universities have reduced 바카라사이트ir dropout rates and succeeded in attracting more students from state schools into higher education, according to new figures.

Data published today by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency show that among students starting full-time first degrees in 바카라사이트 UK in 2007-08, 바카라사이트 proportion who had dropped out a year later was 8.6 per cent, down from 9 per cent in 2006-07.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 proportion of young full-time undergraduate entrants from state schools rose to 89 per cent in 2008-09, up from 88.5 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year.

However, data on changes to 바카라사이트 proportion of students from lower socio-economic groups are not available due to a change in 바카라사이트 question asked of applicants on 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service form.

The University and College Union criticised 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 data would not be available in 바카라사이트 year of Lord Browne of Madingley��s independent review of student funding.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: ��It is quite incredible that 바카라사이트 question on students�� backgrounds has been changed and that comparisons with previous years are impossible. There is a review of student funding happening right now and we need that information.��

Ucas has subsequently reverted to 바카라사이트 old format, meaning that data should be comparable with earlier figures when 바카라사이트y are released this time next year.

But Ms Hunt said this was ��little comfort when we are being denied 바카라사이트 full picture of participation at university by students from 바카라사이트 poorest backgrounds��.

The Hesa figures show that Harper Adams University College is once again 바카라사이트 most inclusive institution, with 58.4 per cent of its students coming from lower socio-economic groups. It is followed by London Metropolitan University (57.5 per cent) and 바카라사이트 University of Greenwich (56.2 per cent).

The least inclusive institution is 바카라사이트 Courtauld Institute of Art (7.9 per cent), followed by 바카라사이트 University of Oxford (11.5 per cent) and 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge (12.6 per cent).

However, Oxford and Cambridge also reported 바카라사이트 lowest dropout rates among full-time first-degree entrants, with just 1.1 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively quitting 바카라사이트ir studies after one year.

The highest dropout rate was once again at 바카라사이트 UHI Millennium Institute (25.4 per cent). It was followed by 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 West of Scotland (21.4 per cent) and 바카라사이트 University of Bolton (19.8 per cent).

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com