A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

1. A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education Dr. Vivienne Patterson Head of Statistics Higher Education Authority October 28th 2010

2. Outline Introduction Data Sources and Methodology Results A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

3. Introduction • This issue of progression and completion is increasingly important given the rapidly expanding levels of participation and the increasing diversity of the student body • This report addresses a gap in our evidence base on progression and completion in Irish Higher Education • The report allows the characteristics of the student intake to be taken into account when measuring student progression A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

4. Data Sources and Methodology Designation of IoTs under HEA Student Record System Cohort Analysed A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

5. Data Sources and Methodology Definition of Terms Non-Presence – Student no longer present in that institution in March 2009 Included in those still present are re-enrolling students, repeat students and internal transfer students It was not possible to distinguish External transfer students i.e. students who left to re-enro in a different institution. The reference period for the analysis is March 1st 2008 to March 1st 2009 This report does not take into account an additional 4% who were known to have discontinued their studies prior to March 1st 2008 of their 1st year A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

6. Student Characteristics Examined Prior Educational Attainment Field of Study Sector and NFQ level Age Gender Grant Status Nationality Socio-Economic Background A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

7. Results 1 Prior Educational Attainment is the strongest predictor of likelihood of Progression Non-Presence Rates by Prior Educational Attainment A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

8. Results 1 cont A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

9. Results 2 Non-Presence Rates by Points Attainment in Leaving Certificate Mathematics A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

10. Results 2 cont A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

11. Results 2 cont Attainment in English in the Leaving Certificate examination is another strong indicator of the likelihood of students progressing past 1st Year, albeit to a lesser extent than prior attainment in Mathematics A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

12. Results 3 Field of Study A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

13. Results 3 cont Field of Study A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

14. Results 4 Student Characteristics Gender A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

15. Results 4 Student Characteristics Age A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

16. Results 4 Student Characteristics Socio-Economic Group A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

17. Results 6 Beyond 1st Year A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

18. Results 6 Repeat Students • Those students who repeat first year are far more likely to not • progress to second year than students repeating other years • For all levels and sectors 28% non-presence rate if you repeat 1styear • compared to 15% for new entrants. • Students are equally likely to repeat any year of a course with the • exception of the final year. A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education

19. Recap of Key Findings • 15% non-presence rates across all sectors and levels for Full-Time New Entrants • Prior Educational Attainment is the strongest predictor of likelihood of progression • This is reflected most clearly in Mathematics • Technology Disciplines have the highest non-presence rates across all fields of study • Progression in profession-oriented courses is well above average • Females are more likely to progress than males • Non-Progression rates decline the further advanced a student in their course of study

20. Acknowledgements Institutions CAO HEA Thank You!