University dropout patterns in Spain from the student’s perspective: A convergent mixed methods study

Academic dropout from university studies remains a significant concern within the Spanish educational system. Some studies place the dropout rate for undergraduate studies at 33.3 %, of which 21.4 % is due to definitive abandonment of the university system and 11.9 % due to the student changing the degree in which he or she had initially enrolled. Three out of every ten university students fail to complete their studies The study employed a convergent mixed methodology, utilizing a sample of 2,183 participants who had either dropped out or changed their degree. The aim was to enhance comprehension through a hypothetical-inductive methodological convergence. A specially designed questionnaire was administered to gather quantitative data, exploring dimensions such as study choices, work activities, academic trajectories, and perceptions of the causes leading to dropout. Subsequently, 33 former student dropouts were randomly selected for in-depth interviews, specifically concentrating on these dimensions to gather qualitative insights. The conclusions reveal that academic dropout is influenced by a combination of internal and external factors, encompassing individual, institutional, and socioeconomic elements.