Covid-19 played a role in college dropout rates as the 2020/2021 academic year saw an increase of nine per cent in students not progress to the second year of their course.
Figures from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), show an increase of 9 per cent in dropout rates compared to previous years.
During this academic year, the majority of courses were taught online, with many students starting college that year after receiving predicted Leaving Certificate grades.
The highest dropout rates were seen at Dundalk Institute of Technology and South East Technological University (21 per cent), followed by Atlantic Technological University (20 per cent).
Munster Technological University, Technological University of Dublin and Technological University of the Shannon all saw a 17 per cent dropout rate among first year students.
The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland had the lowest dropout rate (3 per cent), with Dublin City University, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and St Angela’s College of Home Economics all noting a 6 per cent rate.
