Scotland's student drop-out rates amongst worst in UK

Of the 29,625 degree entrants into Scotland's universities last year, 9.9 per cent had dropped out by the end of their first year, according to the figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) yesterday. The UK average was 8.6 per cent and in England the average drop out-rate was 8.4 per cent.

However, Scotland fared better than Northern Ireland, which had the worst drop-out rate in the UK, with 10.2 per cent leaving their course.

Financial stress is the most common reason for leaving a course, according to recent government research.

Scotland also has a lower proportion of state school pupils entering university, according to the statistics, at 86.7 per cent compared with a UK average of 88.5 per cent.

Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students' Scotland, said: "These levels of drop-out represent a huge waste of talent and a waste of precious government resources.

"By investing a little more in student support, we can release a great deal more in savings from reduced drop-out rates."

Labour higher education spokeswoman Claire Baker called for a review of student funding in Scotland, saying Scots receive less support than their counterparts in England.

She said: "It's very worrying that the number of students dropping out of universities in Scotland remains above the UK average.

"At a time when Scotland needs to grow its skills base, these drop-out rates represent a huge waste of talent."