An Exploratory Study of Factors Affecting Attrition within an ICT Degree

Nicole Herbert, David Herbert, Erik Wapstra, Kristy de Salas, Tina Acuña

Abstract: While the number of students commencing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) degree has grown over the last few years, the high attrition rate in ICT degrees is a major concern of both the ICT industry and higher education. This empirical study analyses what pre-tertiary factors, such as gender, citizenship, age, and entry qualification, are useful in detecting when a student is likely to withdraw from an undergraduate ICT degree. Academic advisors can use the information to apply appropriate intervention measures at times when they are most likely to be effective at reducing attrition. For some pre-tertiary factors it is recommended to apply the intervention measures before a problem has arisen.