1. John Hall Available from: <http://www.scre.ac.uk/scot-research/wastage/wastage.pdf> Retention and Wastage in FE and HE

2. International comparisons • By comparison with most systems, the U.K. is highly efficient. There is a relatively short first degree, with high rates of completion in the minimum time. However, while student failure and dropout are not of significant proportions, they do seem to be edging up a little and, as access increases, experience from other countries suggests the problem will grow. In common with all other systems reviewed, it is not possible to make conclusive statements about completion rates. Data on student progression are inadequate. Care is needed to maintain the objective of very high success rates. That institutions are becoming more aware of the problem was made clear to us . • (OECD, 1997)

3. Mature entrants • ... a higher proportion of mature entrants than young entrants do not continue in higher education after their first year. The non-continuation rate is 15 per cent for mature entrants compared with 8 per cent for young entrants. The non-continuation rate for young entrants is below 10 per cent for nearly three-quarters of institutions. For mature entrants it is between 5 and 20 per cent at most institutions, but over 20 per cent at more than one in 10 institutions. • (HEFCE, 2000)

4. First degree entrants

5. Differences

6. Factors affecting withdrawal

7. Complexity

8. FE:methodological problems

9. FE: Characteristics of leavers

10. False assumptions?