Figures reveal Scotland has highest drop-out rates in UK

Almost one in 10 students (9.4% in 2009/10) dropped out, according to the most recent figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). UCU Scotland said extra financial support for students from government was a positive move to try and combat the high drop-out rate.

The union also welcomed an increase in the percentage of Scottish students from poorest backgrounds going to university. Overall, the number of young Scottish domiciled students entering university from the lowest family incomes going to university was 28.0%, compared with 27.2% the previous year (2009/10).

UCU Scotland president, Gordon Watson, said: 'It is disappointing that Scotland has such a large drop-out rate and we welcome the commitment from the cabinet secretary to increase student support. Financial difficulties are a factor for many students and do contribute to drop-out rates, however, universities also need to do more to help students continue with their studies.

'We welcome the slight increase in students with the lowest family incomes attending university, but the fact remains that huge swathes of these young people are simply not considering university. We need to look at more initiative ways to get the lowest performing schools to send more students to our Universities.'

The full results and tables can be found on the HESA website.