§ Mr. Bryan DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the latest available statistics for student drop-out rates from higher education. [33718]
§ Mr. ForthOur latest estimate of the drop-out rate of students from full-time and sandwich first degree courses is 17 to 18 per cent. in the academic year 1993–94. A range is given because the introduction of a new data source has made it difficult to measure drop-out accurately. Drop-out covers all those leaving degree courses because of exam failure, ill health, personal and other reasons. It includes those switching to a lower level course, but excludes students transferring between degree courses or subjects at the same university. The rate reflects the progression of students through the whole length of the course.