< > Student Engagement & Retention
Aug 13, 2015
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Student Engagement & Retention
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We maximise student success and institutional effectiveness to
create the world-changers of tomorrow.
WHO WE ARE
< >HOBSONS’ CLIENTS
Western Australia
Murdoch University
Curtin University
UWA
Queensland
UQ
QUT
James Cook UniCQ Uni
Griffith UniSouth Australia
UniSA
University of
Adelaide
TAFE SAVictoria
RMIT
Deakin University
Swinburne University of Technology
La Trobe University
Melbourne Polytechnic
William Angliss
Kangan
Victoria University
New South Wales
UTS
UNSW
Macquarie University
University of Newcastle
UWS
GradSchool
InsearchACU
Australian Capital Territory
University of Canberra
ANU
Tasmania
University of Tasmania
< >WHAT WE ALL KNOW
Universities invest $$ to attract students
Universities need to invest more $$ to retain
students
Attrition affects brand reputation
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Since 2012 Hobsons SE&R:
HOBSONS’ STUDENT ENGAGEMENT &
RETENTION SERVICE
45,000
students
93,000 phone
calls
59,000 emails 91,000 eDM
(electronic direct
mailing) emails
30,000 SMS
messages
6 Australian universities:
Dual-sector institutions to Group of
Eight universities NSW, QLD, SA
and VIC
Students:
- VET, UG and PG
- Domestic and international
- Commencing (first year) to later
year students
- On campus and online
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1336 respondents
Why students change or withdraw?
HOBSONS 2014 RESEARCH
91%
Domestic UG / PG
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Due to behavioural and circumstantial reasons, students:
Changed
Course
Discontinued
EntirelyChanged
Institution
OUR FINDINGS
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Unsuitable course
choice
Youngest group
(18-24)
Concerned about
career prospects
COURSE CHANGERS
69% 43% 33%
< >INSTITUTION CHANGERS
Didn’t get first
preference
More convenient
location
Dissatisfied with
teaching quality
Better
Reputation
38% 34% 30% 21%
< >DISCONTINUERS
Working significant
hours per week
58%
Will not return to
study
13%
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1. Identify ‘at risk’ behaviour
Demographic Indicators
Low ATAR
First in family
English second language
Low SES
Pathways
Under 18
Over 25
Remote/ Distance
International
Disability
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT
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Attendance
Log- in
Non submission
Low/ Fail results
FOCUS ON BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS
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Students as individuals
Real time solutions
Appropriate communication
Experienced and qualified
advisors
“They could have asked me to stay.”
2. Communicate and engage with students
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Integrate strategies and
systems
Centralise communications
and data
Collaborate between units
Link students to services
3. Connect the dots…….
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In Conclusion
Does your institutions have a comprehensive, long-
term, well funded, student engagement and retention
strategy?
Support and services … not one size fits all
Unfortunately we can’t read students’ minds
Students calling students..??
Don’t stop your SE&R communications while digging for ‘gold’ in the data
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• Hobsons’ Insights 2015
• Starfish Retention Solutions
Hobsons’ Commitment to Improving
Student Retention (and happiness) in
Australia