Factors affecting intention to leave in the first, second and third year of university studies: a semester‐by‐semester investigation

Abstract

As most research into attrition and retention has focused on attrition during the first year of studies, we know little about the relationship between students’ experience of subsequent years and their decisions to withdraw from university. This paper addresses this gap in research by examining the relationship between students’ intention to withdraw from studies and their experience of university in each of the three years of Business degree studies. This empirical research indicates that the factors affecting intention to withdraw are differentiated not only by year but also by semester of study.

Keywords:

• attrition
• student diversity
• student experience
• teaching practice

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to: Dr Mark Manning; Professor Richard James, CSHE (permission to use First Year Experience Questionnaire items when developing the WoUE questionnaire); and the many students whose perspectives informed initial questionnaire development.

Support for this publication has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Ltd, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.