Staying the course report published
The Department for Employment and Learning has published a research report entitled Staying the Course: An Econometric Analysis of the Characteristics Most Associated with Student Attrition Beyond the First Year of Higher Education.
The Report, which is part of the Research Agenda 2004 – 2007, provides a robust analysis of student retention patterns over three first-year cohorts at the University of Ulster. The central theme of the report is to investigate how the probability of a first year student proceeding to the second year of study was influenced by his/her personal characteristics and circumstances. To answer this question advanced modelling techniques are employed.
The data for the analysis reported in this paper pertains to a total of 15,123 first-year students at the University of Ulster enrolled in October 2002, 2003 and 2004. The key finding is that gender, socio-economic class, usual domicile and course type are the most significant characteristics in explaining student attrition beyond the first year of Higher Education.
The principal benefit of this research is that it provides the evidence base to justify existing and continued investment in education and skills development. Moreover, this is one strand of the Department's evaluation of its current widening participation initiatives. It will also help inform the development of a Northern Ireland regional strategy to widen participation in Higher Education by groups who are currently under-represented.
The Department’s commitment to widening access to Higher Education is reinforced by the current Student Support arrangements. Delivered through the Education and Library Boards and the Student Loans Company, this funding is aimed at removing financial barriers to less well off students participating in Higher Education.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The report is available to download from the Department’s website http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/statistics-and-research/stats-research/research.htm 
2. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7790.