Revealed: The degrees with the highest and lowest dropout rates at Edinburgh

In information obtained by the Tab from the University of Edinburgh, Biology, Theology, Education and courses run by the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (SAHSS) have emerged as the subjects that suffer from the highest number of dropouts.

On average, just over one per cent of Edinburgh students drop out each year, with Biology, Theology and Education all above two per cent. The SAHSS is way up at the top though at nearly five per cent.

The SAHSS runs courses in a variety of subjects, with the figure below only including degrees not included elsewhere in the graph.

The course with the fewest number of dropouts is Medicine, which only has a 0.3 per cent drop out rate.

[infogram id=”percentage_of_students_dropping_out_per_subject”]

The statistics also reveal that there hasn’t been any significant increase or decrease in the number of dropouts across Edinburgh over the last five years.

[infogram id=”percentage_of_students_dropping_out_in_each_academic_year”]

Of students who have dropped out, the vast majority do so in first year with the number of dropouts decreasing the further people are through university.

[infogram id=”number_of_students_dropping_out_per_year_of_study”]

Commenting on the results, the University Secretary Sarah Smith told the Tab: “We have invested significantly in direct student support, for example all students have a personal tutor to help them get the most from their academic studies, and student support officers to assist with pastoral issues.

“The University has also invested in student facilities, including the development of student information points, enhanced pre-arrival and induction support, and improved online facilities to help students make the most of their time with us.

“Before applying to withdraw, students are strongly advised to consult their Personal Tutor, Programme Director or Supervisor in order to consider the implications of withdrawal. ”