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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