Nearly a quarter of undergraduates fail to complete their degrees Photo: GETTY
The failure rate has barely improved in the last 12 months and drop-out rates are worse at former polytechnics, it is revealed.
In total, nearly a quarter of undergraduates failed to complete their degrees as thousands also transferred to other universities or gained lesser qualifications, while the failure rate soared to half at one new university.
It follows criticism that ministers are effectively forcing universities to take large numbers of weak students - often on inappropriate courses - to meet Labour's manifesto pledge to ensure 50 per cent of all school leavers go onto higher education.
The proportion of students failing to finish the degree course they started across the UK is even higher, at 22.6 per cent, a slight increase compared to 22.4 per cent a year earlier. Around two-thirds of these students dropped out and a third either transferred to other universities or were expected to be awarded lesser qualifications,
The failure rate is highest among new universities - a focus of the Government's drive to boost the number of sixth-formers staying on.
Half of students at Bolton University failed to complete degree courses compared to 43 per cent a year earlier.
At Anglia Ruskin, London Metropolitan, London Southbank, Middlesex and Thames Valley universities more than four in 10 students failed to finish their degrees. At 43 universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland the degree failure rate was higher than a quarter.
But Bill Rammell, the higher education minister, insisted that staying on rates were among the best in the world.
"Although there has been a slight increase in the proportion of full-time first degree starters expected neither to get an award nor transfer, we still have one of the highest levels of student retention when compared internationally," he said. "This has been achieved and maintained during a period when the student population has increased and its diversity widened."
The overall number of state-educated students recruited by the 37 universities which are affiliated to the elite Russell Group and 1994 Group also increased.
But numbers dropped at several key institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Loughborough, and St Andrews.
Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, said many state school pupils were not applying.
"We are doing everything we can to help raise attainment and aspirations by working closely with local schools, colleges and community organisations. We are particularly concerned by a number of recent reports that suggest pupils are not given enough information, advice and guidance about Russell Group universities."
Worst universities for drop outs
The figure relates to the percentage of 1st year degree students expected to complete the degree which they started
Bolton University - 50.5
Anglia Ruskin University - 51.2
London Metropolitan University - 55.6
Middlesex University - 56.2
Thames Valley University - 56.5
UHI Millennium Institute (Scotland) - 57.9
London South Bank University - 61.5
Glamorgan University - 62.9
East London University - 63.5
Liverpool Hope University - 63.7
