Investigating UK Undergraduate Electrical and Electronic Engineering Attrition

Abstract

A 2001 UK survey of electrical and electronic engineering academics looked at undergraduate attrition rates against the background of quantifiable ‘resource’ measures such as staff-student ratio and admissions criteria. Whilst there are predictable trends relating achievement to such parameters, the variation in progression statistics between higher education institutions with similar 'resources' was large, implying scope for improvement by adoption of appropriate practices. Respondents furnished information on subject matter problematic to their students, and outlined departmental strategies for counteracting attrition. Pastoral care issues, such as financial problems, disability, gender and ethnicity were also discussed.

Keywords

attrition student support progression undergraduate

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