The nexus of student dropout: insights from course directors in Portuguese higher education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Tavares, O., Antunes, M. J., Luz, A. R., & Sá, C. (2025). The nexus of student dropout: insights from course directors in Portuguese higher education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 49(2), 215–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2024.2446601

This study explores student dropout in Portuguese higher education through the perspectives of 18 course directors from diverse institutions and programs. Using qualitative interviews analyzed through Heublein’s model, it identifies key pre-entry and in-study factors influencing dropout. Pre-entry issues include poor academic preparation, low motivation, and financial hardship, particularly for international and low-income students. In-study challenges involve academic overload, mismatch between student expectations and course reality, emotional strain, and difficulty balancing work and study. Financial stress was the most cited reason for dropout. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues by disrupting personal interaction, increasing emotional and academic disengagement, and exposing digital inequalities. Some course directors noted rising dropout, while others observed greater flexibility through online learning. The study recommends holistic institutional strategies, including preparatory courses, targeted support for disadvantaged students, financial aid, flexible scheduling, and inclusive environments. Although limited in scope, the study offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics behind student attrition in higher education.