Figures published today show that Scotland has the highest university drop-out rate in the United Kingdom.
Ross Thomson, Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeen Donside, said:
“These figures are genuinely worrying for Scotland and her fine Universities, but these figures disprove the ridiculous claim that a financial contribution to higher education forces a greater drop-out rate – other parts of the UK have fees and their continuation rate is greater. No party in Scotland wants upfront tuition fees and we strongly believe that we need more bursary support for students from the poorest backgrounds, to give them greater support whilst they are studying.
“We also believe that the higher education sector will only survive and thrive if we set in place a graduate contribution, repayable once the graduate attains a certain salary and at an affordable rate. I want our Universities to be the best they can be, to stand out in the world and provide the best education for our students. Scotland’s universities will not survive at this rate which is why the Scottish Conservatives will be outlining proposals, which will include even more bursary support is available, in full next week.”
The drop-out rate at universities across the UK in 2009/10 is as follows:
UK: 7.9%
England: 7.8%
Wales: 7.4%
Scotland: 9.3%
N. Ireland: 9.0%
