The high percentage of students who dropout of courses is presently a significant concern. Recent
figures published by the House of Commons (1997) suggest that 17% of students who enter higher
education in the UK dropout without gaining a qualification. Student attrition is certainly a ‘hot topic’
at the moment, and indeed, many universities and other educational institutions worldwide are
conducting research with the hope of discovering the reasons for such high rates. Such a high
percentage affects not only the individual, but also the institution, the education system, business and
industry, and society as a whole. It is therefore important to examine attrition and investigate what can
be done to improve the situation.