Beyond the first-year experience: the impact on attrition of student experiences throughout undergraduate degree studies in six diverse universities

Lesley Willcoxson; J Cotter; S Joy

doi:10.1080/03075070903581533

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Beyond the first-year experience: the impact on attrition of student experiences throughout undergraduate degree studies in six diverse universities

Journal article

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Beyond the first-year experience: the impact on attrition of student experiences throughout undergraduate degree studies in six diverse universities

Lesley Willcoxson, J Cotter and S Joy

Studies in Higher Education, Vol.36(3), pp.331-352

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070903581533

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Abstract

student experience

student support

academic at-risk students

In the face of difficult economic circumstances, increased competition and student diversity, attrition and retention have become issues of great significance to higher education institutions seeking to survive. A large body of work has explored the relationship between attrition and the first-year experience, but there has been little focus on students' experience of university in subsequent years despite the fact that later year attrition counts for approximately half of all attrition. This empirical research study examines students' experience of university in six diverse universities, across the three years of business degree studies. It finds that the factors correlated with intention to withdraw from university studies are differentiated by year of study, and further differentiated by the university attended. The implications of these findings are discussed and a framework for institutional action is subsequently used to outline the dimensions of a relevant retention program.

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Title: Beyond the first-year experience: the impact on attrition of student experiences throughout undergraduate degree studies in six diverse universities
Authors: Lesley Willcoxson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
J Cotter (Author) - University of Southern Queensland
S Joy (Author) - Monash University
Publication details: Studies in Higher Education, Vol.36(3), pp.331-352
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1080/03075070903581533
ISSN: 0307-5079
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449434102621
Output Type: Journal article

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