STUDENTS at the University of Bolton will be given extra support to succeed after figures revealed it has the highest drop out rate in the country.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Rob Campbell said student welfare is the number one priority at the university — but stressed headline figures quoted focus on a small cross section of the university’s students.

Figures shows 21.4 per cent—one in five—of its students are quitting their studies after just 12 months.

He explained: “If you include part-time students or those undertaking professional development or postgraduate study, Bolton’s retention figures compare favourably with many other new universities in the UK.”

New support measures include appointing a personal tutor to every student who starts this September.

The university has already successfully implemented a peer mentoring scheme, where 63 specifically selected and trained students and offer support.

The measures are described as complementing the work of student services department and the teaching faculty, which aims to provide “students with all the academic professional and personal support they need to succeed”.

Every faculty also has a specially appointed student liaison officer to offer advice and guidance on a range of issues.

Prof Campbell said: “The University of Bolton takes student retention very seriously and is working continuously to ensure all our students are satisfied with the educational experience they have.

“Last year Bolton was rated joint best university in Greater Manchester for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.”

He added: “At Bolton we have a proud tradition of providing high quality university education to anyone with the ability to succeed, no matter what their social, financial or cultural background.

“The university is dedicated to these traditions and to providing a standard of service and education that it can be proud of.”