College dropout rates higher than pre-pandemic – Officials

The number of third-level students who did not progress from first to second year has risen to 15%, according to the latest data from Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, writes Emma O Kelly for RTÉ. The data relates to 2021-22 and is up by three percentage points on the previous year.

Dropout rates fell to a record low of 9% in 2019-20 when the COVID pandemic led to remote lectures and open book exams for students. While a rise was expected as college life returned to normal, the proportion of students failing to progress is now higher than it was prior to the pandemic.

Just prior to the pandemic, the non-progression rate was at 12%. It returned to this level in 2020-21. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to drop out – 23% of them do not make it to second year. Those from affluent families are most likely to progress. Male students are more likely to drop out, at 18%, compared to 13% of female students.
Full report on the RTÉ site