There are many initiatives developed to enlarge the numbers of freshmen in beta studies. But how do we prevent them from dropping out? ‘A beta study is more difficult than anticipated for many beta students.’

In 2005 almost 32% of the students dropped out of the TU Eindhoven. At other technical universities these numbers are about the same, a number that is difficult to decrease, according to Monique Draijer, student dean of the TU Delft. ‘The Dutch system does not allow a selection procedure up front, this is why the percentage of drop-outs here is since decades almost one third.’ At the TU Delft almost 15% quits during their first year and at the University of Twente this number was 20% in 2005.

Students have many reasons to drop-out, acknowledge the student deans. ’There are many factors to be considered: someone’s past, expectations, interests, personal circumstances, moving on your own,’ sums Draijer.

A better education at high schools could prevent drop-outs: ’beta studies are often underestimated, many students experience that their education is a lot harder than thought. De demands for a technical study are often not clear because education is focussed on getting more students interested in science and does not want to scare students of.’ Birgitte Tel, study advisor at Technical Physics of the University of Twente thinks that many VWO students underestimate an technical study: ‘I see people who have passed with a mere six and think they can handle this study!’

What makes it more difficult is that having high grades is not a gurantee to finish a beta study. Tel: ‘one of the many problems is that the level of abstract thinking needed for the university is not up to standard at the high schools. Because of advanced calculators they do not know how to work with formulas. This makes it also more difficult to predict whether someone is qualified for a beta stuy.’

Source: Technisch Weekblad