Completion rates of students in higher education, 2002/2003

One in five students graduating with a Cand.polit. or Cand.philol. degree in the 2002/03 academic year had spent 13 years in higher education. Business and economics students also stay longer in higher education than what should be expected when we look at the indicated schedule.

One in three entrants in 1982 and 1992 did not complete a degree in the next ten years. Of those who enrolled in 1992, 50 per cent had completed an undergraduate degree and 17 per cent a graduate degree after 10 years. Of those who enrolled in 1982, the corresponding figures were 48 and 15 per cent.

Men most likely to complete graduate degree

While women are most likely to complete an undergraduate degree, men are most likely to complete at graduate level. Of those who enrolled in 1992, 21 per cent of the male students and 14 per cent of the female students had completed at graduate level after ten years. The differences between men and women were even greater among those who enrolled in 1982, as only 10 per cent of the female students completed at graduate level.

Parents' educational background affects throughput rates

For students who enrolled in 1992 and where one of the parents has higher education of more than four years, 74 per cent had completed higher education after ten years. More than half of them completed a degree at graduate level. In comparison, 63 per cent of the students with education below upper secondary level completed higher education. In addition, fewer than one in ten of these students completed a graduate level degree.

Tables:

• Table 1 Some completed studies, undergraduate level, by number of years since the student first was registered in tertiery education. 2002/2003. Per cent
• Table 2 Selected completed studies, graduate level, by number of years since the student was first registered in tertiary education. 2002/2003. Per cent
• Table 3 New entrants to tertiary education in 1982 and 1992, by gender and awarded qualification after 10 years. Absolute figures and per cent
• Table 4 New entrants to tertiary education in 1982, by parents' level of education and awarded qualification after 10 years. Absolute figures and per cent