An examination of student attrition on events, tourism and hospitality management degree programs in the UK

This paper examines the factors that contribute to students leaving undergraduate programs in events, tourism and hospitality management programs in the UK before graduation. Following a comprehensive review of the literature, it develops a conceptual framework that is used to inform an empirical study that utilises data from one major British educational provider. The study revealed four variables as having significant associations with student withdrawal: gender, socio-economic classification, disability, and term-time distance from campus. Two of these, gender and disability, are statistically significant in predicting levels of withdrawal. The findings have implications for those seeking to improve student continuation rates.