5 Measures to reduce academic dropouts

Higher education is of immense importance for Germany as a centre of science and research. To ensure that universities can provide a large number of academically qualified specialists in the future despite limited resources (e.g. number of study places), it is all the more important to guarantee academic success. Unfortunately, however, it is not uncommon for students to end their academic journey prematurely: Around a third of Bachelor’s students choose to drop out before graduating.

The decision to drop out of a degree programme is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors that go beyond the current study situation. Even if dropping out of a degree programme cannot be attributed to a single reason, this step is often due to the mismatch between individual study requirements and the demands of the degree programme. The majority of dropouts cite unmet performance requirements as the decisive factor in their decision. A lack of identification with the degree programme is another reason for dropping out. This is also reflected in the early dropout time, as an above-average number of students drop out during the first two semesters. A wrong choice of degree programme can be seen as the origin of the reasons given for dropping out, which underlines the importance of the decision in favour of a particular degree programme.

Reducing the dropout rate is an important goal for universities, as it benefits students, saves resources for the university and improves the quality of education. What can universities do specifically to reduce the drop-out rate in the long term? Five measures to reduce the number of students dropping out are:

1. Early counselling and orientation: Many first-year students are insufficiently informed about what to expect during their studies. In order to resolve this discrepancy between expectations and the study situation and to ensure suitability for the desired degree programme, students should be given the opportunity to ‘experience’ the degree programme in advance. This can be achieved, for example, through information events, taster lectures, but also online self-assessments (OSA) and personal counselling sessions. These experiences and information help prospective students to make an informed decision based on a realistic self-assessment of their abilities and their suitability for the chosen degree programme and to choose the subject that best suits their individual interests and goals.
2. Subject-specific study aptitude tests: Study aptitude tests, which are used before the start of studies, serve to ensure that prospective students have the necessary skills and competences for the chosen subject and are sufficiently well prepared for their studies. This facilitates the start of the degree programme and improves the prospect of a successful course of study. In addition, subject-specific study aptitude tests, just like the instruments mentioned above, have an orientation function with regard to the degree programme.
3. Supporting the transition between school and university: Bridging courses and pre-study work placements are a good way for first-year students to catch up on any previous knowledge and skills they lack during the introductory phase of their studies. These help students to adapt more quickly to the university level and to better master the course material, which makes it easier to start their studies and improves their chances of success.
4. Specialised support services: It is also helpful to offer students feedback on their performance during the semester, which they can improve with the help of the courses and tutorials on offer. Early feedback on any learning deficits helps students to better assess their level of performance and work on any gaps in their knowledge before the final semester examinations. This increases the likelihood of students successfully completing the degree programme and reduces drop-outs due to subject-related challenges.
5. Identification of students at risk: With the help of an early warning system and grade monitoring, performance problems and the risk of dropping out can be identified at an early stage so that students at risk can be addressed, counselled and supported. Grade monitoring not only enables individual counselling, but also provides additional insights into factors that can favour dropout and can therefore contribute to improving general study conditions. It also provides important information on the development of dropout rates.