HC Deb 29 October 1998 vol 318 c235W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost to the Exchequer of students who dropped out of UK universities in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [56200]

Mr. Mudie

The cost to the Exchequer of students who drop out from UK universities depends on factors such as the timing of drop outs within academic years, the level of public funding associated with individual courses, whether or not students transfer to other HE institutions and whether or not students return to HE at a later date. Figures for the cost are not compiled centrally.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will publish the drop-out rates for undergraduates in their first year of study at each UK university in the six most recent years for which figures are available; [56201]

(2) if he will publish the undergraduate drop-out rates for individual courses in each state-funded university in the six most recent years for which figures are available. [56202]

Mr. Mudie

Information on drop-out rates by year of study and individual course at each UK university is not compiled centrally. Measuring drop-out rates is complicated by the non-traditional routes that some students follow and which may include changing courses or institutions, repeating years or leaving HE for a year or more before continuing their studies. But work is currently being undertaken by the funding bodies in the UK to produce progression statistics for each institution. After a period of consultation with individual institutions, this is intended to lead to the publication next year of progression rates which will reflect drop-out and other causes of non-completion.