Retention and Student Services at UniDistance - Céline Pellissier

EADTU Staff Training Event | Support Services in Open & Distance Education

1. Students ’ retention at UniDistance Céline Pellissier / Student Manager

2. Content Background information Study success (& drop out) Two findings on the topic retention / drop out We stopped presence meetings Admission 25+ program

3. B ackgroud info : Who are we ? Distance university (not an open university ) 2200 students Level of Study Bachelor programmes 1850 Master programmes 350 Language German 49% French 47% English 4% Gender Women 1450 Men 750 Age ø 38 years

4. Teaching model Blended learning – asynchronous & synchronous learning activities Online classes and exams Teaching teams ( professor and assistant -s) in every module 2 modules per semester (20 ECTS) Bachelor programmes 9 semesters Master programmes 5-6 semesters

5. Study success (& drop out) – Bachelor programmes

6. Study success (& drop out) – Master programmes

7. 1. We stopped presence meetings 5 presence meetings per module and semester until March 2020 COVID lockdown 5 online meetings and online exams And what happened ? All key figures remained absolutely unchainged : exam inscription rate exam success rate drop out rate

8. 2. Admission 25+ Admission programme without matura (high school diploma ) to enter Bachelor studies 2-step admission programme 1. full application file 2. 8-months individual learning programme and exams in May Launched in 2019 432 candidates – pass rate 23% (101 candidates ) Admission what ?

9. C onsequences on our drop out rates – part 1

10. C onsequences on our drop out rates – part 2 Drop out rate is dramatically lower for 25+ students than for students entering with diploma : (14% vs. 52% during observed period ) Students coming from Admission 25+: Can prepare independently for exams Can muster the necessary motivation to learn Have greater autonomy Have organised their everyday lives to fit the demands of studying.