Students ‘need info and prep’ to curb fresher dropout rates

More access to information about courses and a less-rushed start to college after students get their Leaving Certificate results could help reduce dropout rates, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said.

It was responding to latest Higher Education Authority (HEA) figures that show, despite some improvements, nearly one-in-six students did not progress to the second year of college courses they began in 2012.

Among the 6,000-plus who dropped out, levels of non-progression were highest at institutes of technology, many of which had one-in-four students failing to make it to second year.