Drop-out and completion in higher education in Europe among students from under-represented groups

Too many [European Union] EU students from under-represented groups leave higher education before completing their degrees. Students coming from poor socio-economic backgrounds are by far the most likely to drop out of higher education. Male students are more at risk of drop-out than female. Students with dependents, women in particular, struggle to balance caring responsibilities with their studies. The same goes for part-time students, who are at greater risk as a result of caring responsibilities or working long hours in a job unrelated to their studies. Also at risk are minority ethnic students, who may face obstacles of racism or poverty, and students with disabilities who often drop out due to physical problems of access and discrimination. A combination of factors leads to drop-out, with poor socio-economic background being the single most important factor. Therefore, a holistic approach to retention is necessary. Nationally, higher education policy must be supported by policies to tackle wider socioeconomic and cultural inequalities.

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