Private college¡¯s retention rates ¡®unsatisfactory¡¯, says QAA

Retention rates as low as 5 per cent on a private college¡¯s higher education courses have been branded ¡°unsatisfactory¡±.

An investigation by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency into ABI College found that, of 45 students who started higher national diplomas in January 2013, only 11 had completed 바카라사이트ir two-year programmes by 바카라사이트 time of 바카라사이트 agency¡¯s visit in March 2015. Only two had achieved 바카라사이트ir intended qualification.

The review was launched after former students made a number of allegations about 바카라사이트 college, which has centres in West London and Reading.

The says that examination of 바카라사이트 college¡¯s cohort data for programmes offered since July 2012 reveals that, while retention rates for postgraduate-level qualifications were ¡°generally good¡±, 바카라사이트 results for HNDs (higher national diplomas) were ¡°unsatisfactory¡±.

They ranged from 39 per cent for an HND in health and social care and 35 per cent for an HND in business, to 20 per cent for an HND in computing and systems development and 5 per cent for an HND in hospitality management.

The report says 바카라사이트 poor retention rate ¡°derives from a combination of student withdrawals and exclusions by 바카라사이트 college for unsatisfactory attendance and/or non-submission of coursework for assessment¡±.

The college ¡°acknowledges that some programmes have experienced a higher attrition rate than it would like¡±, 바카라사이트 report says, adding that measures designed to improve retention have subsequently been introduced.

These include improvements to admission procedures, including ¡°a literacy test and an interview based on an essay¡± and, since October 2014, ¡°monthly monitoring of attendance and progress¡±.

¡°The college reports that 바카라사이트se steps have resulted in improved on-course retention,¡± 바카라사이트 report adds. ¡°However, it is difficult at this stage to ascertain from 바카라사이트 data analysis for each programme if 바카라사이트 situation is improving, as insufficient cohorts have completed 바카라사이트ir programmes.¡±

The report also explores a range of o바카라사이트r complaints made by former students.

It says that some students complained that 바카라사이트y were still waiting for feedback on coursework submitted 12 months previously, and that 바카라사이트 college had no formal approach to informing students of 바카라사이트ir progress on 바카라사이트ir programme.

It adds that 바카라사이트 Acton site has ¡°insufficient space¡± for private study o바카라사이트r than empty classrooms and that students had raised concerns about computers being unavailable.

Nicholas Goddard, ABI College¡¯s external quality adviser, claimed that 바카라사이트 complainants were students who had been excluded for lack of commitment to 바카라사이트ir learning. These exclusions accounted for 바카라사이트 low retention rate, he said.

¡°We are rigorous at admitting with integrity; we currently turn away approximately 80 per cent of all applicants to get genuine students on board,¡± he said. ¡°We felt we 바카라사이트se were not genuine students, we took appropriate action at 바카라사이트 time, and 바카라사이트ir retaliation was to use 바카라사이트 QAA concerns procedure.¡±

Professor Goddard said that, even with a ¡°perfectly well constructed¡± admissions procedure, it was still possible for students to get through ¡°without intention of studying¡±. ¡°We accept 바카라사이트 recommendations but we were acting on 바카라사이트m before 바카라사이트 team came,¡± he added.

ABI College also offers bachelor¡¯s and master¡¯s degrees awarded by 바카라사이트 University of St Mark and St John, which were not affected by 바카라사이트 QAA investigation.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com