HEA latest data, for 2019/20, shows that non progression rates fell in that year. This is a measure of the overall rate of non-progression of students from their first year into the following academic year and enables identification of particular cohorts of students with a high risk of non-progression.
The data reveals that:
• In 2018/19, the non-progression rate was 12%. In 2019/20, this has dropped to 9%, representing a 3-percentage point improvement in non-progression;
• Services has the highest non-progression rate, at 16%. This is followed by ICT, at 15%, and Engineering, Manufacturing & Construction at 13%. Education has the lowest non-progression rate, at 3%.
• Between 2018/19 and 2019/20, Services has seen the largest improvement in their non-progression rate, from 22% in 2018/19, down to 16% in 2019/20.
• Internationally domiciled students saw an increase in their non-progression rate, from 11% in 2018/19 to 13% in 2019/20. Meanwhile, non-progression rates improved for Irish-domiciled students (12% in 2018/19; 9% in 2019/20).
• Non-progression rates are highest amongst disadvantaged students (12%), and lowest amongst affluent students (7%). Nonetheless, when comparing like-for-like students, it is evident that differences in Leaving Certificate attainment between disadvantaged and affluent students largely explain these differences.
• In 2019/20, females had a non-progression rate of 7%, while males had a non-progression rate of 11%. When comparing like-for-like students, the non-progression gap reduces, however it is evident that Leaving Certificate attainment has a role to play in this gender difference.
