Should universities be more accountable

I was just reading through 'which courses have the most work' thread. It seems a lot of people are leaving their courses due to failing exams, finding courses are too hard, demanding, lecturers aren't teaching the subjects very well etc etc.

We have league tables for Uni and subject rankings, I think it would be just as helpful to have one which shows drop out rates.

If 65% of students in one subject failed their exams something must be going wrong.

Any thoughts?

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Reply 1

Mr.Econometrics

Original post by Racoon

Never thought about this actually, seeing drop-out rates would be interesting. 65% of students in a subject failing a subject would be a cause for concern!

Reply 2

Racoon

Original post by Mr.Econometrics

Never thought about this actually, seeing drop-out rates would be interesting. 65% of students in a subject failing a subject would be a cause for concern!

I have a feeling getting the real figures for it could be a struggle.

Reply 3

Mr.Econometrics

Original post by Racoon

I have a feeling getting the real figures for it could be a struggle.

I think that the issue with getting such facts would be that universities are businesses as well as educational institutions, and obviously no business would want to deter prospective consumers (students in this case). It would be quite off putting to a student to find out that 65% of students failed an exam in a module, I would run for the hills myself! :tongue:

We will just have to settle for TSR :eek:

Reply 4

Racoon

Original post by Mr.Econometrics

We will just have to settle for TSR :eek:

True

, can't see it happening somehow.

Reply 5

RD208

Perhaps students could also be more accountable?

I mean some go guns blazing into first year expecting a breeze, out every night, sleep in till 12, go to a couple lectures a day, sit a few exams. Then the real work starts.

No. At least not at any decent university. Earning a degree is about work, and it should start from day 1.

It's a tactic exam setters use, to make exams difficult. Its to kick folk into gear, tell them there's no sh***ing about on this course. You want a degree, you have to earn it.

Universities accept students because they believe they are capable of earning a degree. It doesn't mean they're going to hand it on a plate for you.

Reply 6

nulli tertius

Original post by Racoon

I have a feeling getting the real figures for it could be a struggle.

You wish is my command (at least by university)

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/performanceIndicators/1213_J62I/t3a_1213.xlsx

Lots more data in the tables here.

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/pis/noncon

Reply 7

Josb

Original post by nulli tertius

You wish is my command (at least by university)

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/performanceIndicators/1213_J62I/t3a_1213.xlsx

Lots more data in the tables here.

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/pis/noncon

Links don't work.

Reply 8

nulli tertius

Original post by Josb

Links don't work.

Your computer, I'm afraid. I have just tried them and they work.

Reply 9

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Racoon

Do you mean like http://m.unistats.ac.uk/subjects/study/10004063FT-M100-UBLL/ReturnTo/Search (scroll down to continuation stats)?

Reply 10

Josb

Original post by nulli tertius

Your computer, I'm afraid. I have just tried them and they work.

I can't have access to https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
:frown:

Reply 11

nulli tertius

Original post by Josb

I can't have access to https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
:frown:

This is the main table.

However, it is obscene, contains gratuitous violence, condones smoking and encourages unhealthy eating.

t3a_1213.xlsx66.5KB

Reply 12

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Fwiw the HESA stats on completion (which are derived from the stats on non continuation linked above - look for the table 5 stuff) are included in both the Complete and Times league tables as a metric.

Reply 13

Josb

Original post by nulli tertius

This is the main table.

However, it is obscene, contains gratuitous violence, condones smoking and encourages unhealthy eating.

Thanks

Reply 14

Racoon

Original post by PQ

Do you mean like http://m.unistats.ac.uk/subjects/study/10004063FT-M100-UBLL/ReturnTo/Search (scroll down to continuation stats)?

Hey, thanks for that.

Am I reading that pie chart correct for:-

ContinuationThis is what students are doing 1 year after starting the course.....

I can't see the statistics for completed the course they enrolled for on it, 94% changed their course but remained at the same uni?

Reply 15

Racoon

Original post by nulli tertius

You wish is my command (at least by university)

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/performanceIndicators/1213_J62I/t3a_1213.xlsx

Lots more data in the tables here.

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/pis/noncon

Thanks for the links, having a quick look the statistics seem better then I thought. Going to have an in depth look later but cheers, great help :smile:

Reply 16

El Salvador

Original post by Josb

Links don't work.

http://tab.co.uk/2014/12/04/how-many-freshers-drop-out-from-your-uni/

This is an article about it.