Search results

This report presents the outcomes of a brief research project conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) between March and September 1995. The project examined the attendance and withdrawal patterns of mature students in further and higher education. Although information was sought from a large number of institutions, the report is based on comparatively few responses. Many institutions, although interested in the project, were unable to participate as they did not have the relevant information. The project aimed to investigate and identify the extent of and reasons for mature student non-completion, the factors leading to non-completion, student groups and subject areas most susceptible to high non-completion rates, strategies that could help improve retention, and the implications of changing participation patterns for educational institutions and funding agencies. The first section of the report focuses on what is known about retention and non-completion rates and the current state of data collection in educational institutions. The second section examines the reasons for student withdrawal and the third section describes some strategies designed to improve student retention rates.