Student Attrition

Student Attrition Although access to higher education is virtually universally available, many students who start in a higher education program drop out prior to completing a degree or achieving their individual academic and/or social goals. Addressing high attrition rates has been a matter of import at CQUniversity for a number of years. However current CQUniversity attrition figures have not improved over time, even with activities undertaken and resources expended on programs and services to retain students.

DEEWR definition of attrition is "loss from the University" [i.e. students who were enrolled at the University in one year but who are no longer enrolled in the next year and who are therefore lost to the University without completing a program]. On this basis, our attrition rates are higher than the sector average, and also than for similar Universities against which we benchmark. Attrition ["loss from the University"] is separate from course success/failure. Attrition is an ongoing Key Performance Indicator for the University and will continue to be a strong focus well beyond the current AUQA audit cycle, since our targets for the next few years are to reduce attrition on a year-by-year basis.

A Student Attrition Action Plan "From Wods to Actions" has been developed for the university and endorese by Academic Board. A printable version is available here (staff logon required)