1. Back on Course
Understanding early exit from university: is dropping-out a positive transition?
Kitty Chilcott
David Johnstone

2. Back on Course
Back in Course is a free, impartial information, advice and guidance service for early-leavers from full-time undergraduate higher education, and research project into the factors contributing to early exit.

3. Background
Scottish Government strategic priority
Concern about the number of students leaving HE early
2012 – SFC
Launched 2013

4. Aims
HE sector partnership and robust system of data sharing
Proactive contact
National IAG service tailored to the individual leaver
Practical personalised feedback and advice
Research with early leavers

5. Contacting leavers: the importance of proactive contact
Unknown service
5 attempts
Hard to reach
6,688 contact details
589 completed surveys
259 IAG sessions

6. Information advice and guidance (IAG)
No sector wide provision once a person had left HE
Free and impartial service
At a time that suits leaver
As many sessions as needed

7. No other research with leavers
Increase awareness of early-leavers’ perspectives on and experiences of early exit
Improve understanding of factors contributing to early-exit
Research

8. Research questions
Why students leave university early?
What more can universities do to help students through this transition?

9. Reasons for choosing and leaving HEI

10. Reasons for leaving HEI

11. IAG on exit 65% sought advice from more than one source 35% none
35% tutor/lecturer
40% Friends/family
31% university services

12. Attainments
60% no qualification
42% none
12% unsure
6% did not answer

13. Reflections
Learning from early exit experience
Returning to HE
Realisation that HE was not right for them

14. ‘I was so glad to hear about Back on Course
‘I was so glad to hear about Back on Course. I thought people like me were forgotten about. I didn’t think I would be able to go back to university, I thought you got one chance and that was it. I did two years of animal biology even though I knew it wasn’t for me. I chose it because I thought it was the sensible thing to do. What I really want to do is teach. I would love to go back to university” Danni, Edinburgh

15. Contact
Back on Course Scotland
Phone:
Web: