Abstract
This paper discusses the results of the first comprehensive longitudinal study of qualification retention, completion and progression in tertiary education in New Zealand. Of the cohort of domestic students which started a qualification at a public tertiary education provider in 1998, 40% had gained a qualification by the end of 2002, 9% were still studying, and 51% had left without gaining a qualification. For the cohort of students who completed a qualification in 2001, 15% continued study at a higher level in 2002, 24% continued at the same or a lower level, while 62% left study. Significant variations exist for different demographic and study‐related subgroups.
Acknowledgement
The author wishes to express his thanks to Roger Smyth, for his role in helping to complete this study.
Notes
Note:
“All levels” includes students who changed qualification level, whereas rates for individual levels do not.
*See text for estimates of longer‐term rates of completion at doctorate level.
Note: Rates based on fewer than 30 students are excluded.
*Päkehä is the Mäori term used to describe the ethnic group of the majority of the New Zealand population of predominately European ancestry.
“All levels” includes students who changed qualification level, whereas rates for individual levels do not.