Towards the point of return: Maximising students' uptake of university places following deferral and leave

Document Type

Report

Publication Title

Towards the point of return: Maximising students' uptake of university places following deferral and leave

Publisher

La Trobe University

School

Kurongkurl Katitjin / Strategic and Governance Services

RAS ID

46836

Comments

Harvey, A., Luckman, M., Gao, Y., Kubler, M., Tomaszewski, W., Dempsey, N.,
Devlin, M., Cook, E.J., Hill, B., Hill, A., Shore, S., Reedy, A., & Holmes, K. (2022). Towards the point of return: Maximising students’ uptake of university places following deferral and leave.Report for the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Melbourne: Centre for Higher Education Equity and Diversity Research, La Trobe University. https://doi.org/10.26181/19897210.v1

Abstract

Deferral and leave-taking behaviour substantially affects enrolment and retention rates across Australian universities. Almost ten per cent of commencing students defer their university offer every year, while over 20 per cent of continuing students take leave from their university within three years of commencing a Bachelor degree. Our research confirms that around one third of deferring students do not return to the university sector. Many more return to the sector but enrol in a different course or university from which they deferred. More worryingly, less than a third of continuing students who take leave subsequently return to study within the next two years. Universities have become more flexible in enabling students to leave, but arguably not as flexible and motivated to accommodate their return.

DOI

10.26181/19897210.v1

Access Rights

free_to_read

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