Student departure and persistence in art and design

University of the Arts London commissioned this research in October 2008 to investigate students’ early departure. There were two main concerns: the first was to explain the range of retention rates in different courses across the University; and the second was to examine the disparity between retention rates for white and minority ethnic groups; and students from low and high socio-economic classes.

Ten courses were selected from four colleges of UAL which varied in size, discipline, student intake and pattern of student retention. There were interviews with 41 withdrawn students (from 2007/8) and 72 current students (from 2008/9). The research draws on these interviews, meetings with course directors and tutors, teaching observations and statistical data for the last five years.

Contrary to the findings of the literature review (Sabri, 2008) this study indicates that day-to-day learning and teaching issues are not the primary factor in bringing about student departure. Issues relating to course management and resources, particularly the stability of course directorship, are the most crucial in determining the fluctuations of student retention rates.