Comment: Encouraging figures show universities are moving in the right direction

RETENTION rates across Scotland are, overall, very good. Scotland’s figures for successful completion of study have been moving in the right direction every year since this data was collected nationally.

So while there is no easy fix, there are clear signs of progress. What is most interesting from NUS Scotland’s figures is what they do not tell us. They don’t tell that, nationally, students from less privileged backgrounds are no less likely to succeed at university. That is encouraging.

Universities are increasingly looking at ways of identifying students who are more at risk of disengaging from their studies, based on their behaviours, so that appropriate professional academic and pastoral support a can be offered far in advance of that point. It’s possible to look for early warning signs such as lack of attendance at seminars, use of the library or disengagement from on-line learning. A full range of support services are on hand to all students, with a particular focus on the first year or year-of-entry. Student bodies also have an important role to play in retentions as social networks can be an important support mechanism.

• Alastair Sim is director of Universities Scotland.