Completing university : characteristics and outcomes of completing and non completing students.

Gary Marks, ACER

Longitudinal surveys of Australian youth research report ; n.51

Abstract

This report examines the factors that influence course completion by young Australians who commence university. It also documents the labour market outcomes of those who enrol at a university but who leave before obtaining a qualification. University education involves substantial public and private resources. It is important, therefore, to better understand the factors associated with course completion, and whether even a partial experience of university study may be beneficial in opening up other pathways. The report analyses data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) program to address these questions. The data are from a sample of young people who were in Year 9 in 1995 and who commenced higher education between 1998 and 2001, that is within three years of completing Year 12. This report uses annual data collected on their education, training, and labour market activities up until 2004 when they were approximately 23 years of age. [p.vii]