London Metropolitan and Bolton University have highest expected rate of student dropouts

The Complete University Guide's degree completion tables also reveal the top 10 with the lowest rates

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London Metropolitan and the University of Bolton have emerged as having the highest expected student dropout rate, according to a recent league table on degree completion.

As well as revealing the top universities in the country, the team at the Complete University Guide (CUG) has also highlighted the proportion of first-time students who are expected to drop out over the coming academic year.

While London Met has an average dropout rate of 29 per cent, Bolton has followed closely behind with 28.9 per cent of first-time undergraduates who are not expected to see out their studies.

London South Bank, East London, and Glyndŵr University in Wales have gone on to make up the rest of the top five.

Top 10 universities with the highest dropout rates:
(% of students expected to drop out)

1. London Metropolitan - 29
2. Bolton - 28.9
3. London South Bank - 26.9
4. East London - 26.6
5. Glyndŵr - 25.7
6. Middlesex - 25.6
7. West London - 25.1
8. Bedfordshire - 23.7
9. Abertay - 22.8
10. Staffordshire - 22.7

CUG said it analysed Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) performance indicators, based on degree completion data, for the graduating classes of 2014 and 2015 when compiling the list.

In contrast, Oxbridge institutions have, unsurprisingly, emerged as having the lowest expected percentage of students to either not complete their course, or transfer to another institution.

Top 10 universities with the lowest dropout rates:
(% of students expected to drop out)

1. Cambridge - 1.4
2. Oxford - 2.3
3. London School of Economics - 2.4    
4. Bath - 3.6
5. Imperial College London - 3.6    
6. Exeter - 4
7. University College London - 4.4    
8. Durham - 4.4    
9. St Andrews - 4.5
10. Bristol - 4.9

CUG has said this measure of completion is a projection based upon a snapshot of data, meaning it is, therefore, “vulnerable to statistical fluctuations.”

In CUG’s main league table on the nation’s top institutions, though, Loughborough and University College London (UCL) have made it into the UK top ten for the first time, as Oxbridge universities take the lead.

Dr Bernard Kingston, principal author of CUG, described how there is “a considerable degree of stability” at the upper end of the league table this year.

He said: “While dramatic changes may be newsworthy, this stability indicates that the rankings are robust and credible for young people seeking a university place - our primary purpose.”