Tackling non-continuation is an important contributor to improving social mobility through higher education. Each drop out represents a loss of potential, a poor and probably confidence-sapping experience for a student and an investment in tuition costs which is likely to have a low return.
New analysis from the SMF and the UPP Foundation explores why London universities underperform on retention – with almost twice the rate of non-continuation compared to the best performing regions. It explores factors such as student demographics, including ethnicity and socio-economic background, sense of belonging and levels of engagement amongst institutions within different parts of the country.
The report put forward recommendations for Government, the new Office for Students and for universities themselves.
Chair
James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation
Speakers
James Cleverly, Member of Parliament for Braintree
Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln
Dr. Paul Marshall, Chair of the Trustee Board, UPP Foundation
Nigel Keohane, Research Director, Social Market Foundation