Nursing programmes in Gävle stand out in Sweden for very low drop-out rate

Both when it comes to the nursing programmes and engineering programmes, the University of Gävle is at the top when it comes to low drop-out rates.

The demand for higher education is very high. Still, almost 30 percent of higher education students drop out from their programmes. This is very costly for each higher learning institution, Swedish society and for the student.

A recent report from the Swedish Higher Education Authority shows that the nursing and engineering programmes at the University of Gävle belong to the group of programmes with the lowest drop-out rate in Sweden.

Good at collaborating

“I believe that the University of Gävle is very good at collaborating with our surrounding society and with potential employers, and that is an important factor in the context,” Micael Melander says.

“Even though we are a university college, our drop-out rate is not higher than that of the universities,” Micael points out. “If anything, it is lower, that is if you count out demanding programmes with low credit increments.”

Upper secondary teacher education programmes at the University of Gävle are examples of such programmes, and here it is difficult to manage to get students through the programmes.

The worst combination, which is true for all of Sweden, is low credit increments and demanding programmes. And upper secondary teacher education programmes are the cardinal examples.

Students from homes with parents without higher education

The University of Gävle has a long experience with students from homes with parents without higher education. However, the report from the Swedish Higher Education Authority makes clear that the drop-out rate for such students is not higher than for other students.

“Quite the opposite. Students from homes with parents without higher education tend to complete their studies more often. This probably surprises some people, as it surprised some that there wasn’t any difference in quality between universities and university colleges,” Micael Melander says.

Finally, Micael underscores that the University of Gävle is a higher education institution that is experienced in the field of broadened recruitment.

For more information, please contact:
Micael Melander, strategist at the University of Gävle
Phone: Tel: 026-64 85 05, 073-443 39 49
Email. micael. melander@hig.se

Text: Douglas Öhrbom

Education and Research at a Scenic Campus.
The University of Gävle has approximately 17 000 students, more than 50 study programmes and second-cycle programmes, about 1 000 courses in humanities, social and natural sciences and technology.

Research Profiles
Built Environment and Health-promoting Working Life are the general research profiles of the higher education institution. Important parts included are Spatial Planning with a specialisation in Sustainable Built Environment and Musculoskeletal Disorders with the purpose to prevent work-related injuries. In 2010, the higher education institution received permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in the profile area of Built Environment.
The higher education institution has applied for permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in technology, humanities and social sciences.