University dropout rates in Italy

This work undertakes an innovative analysis on the role of university characteristics in determining university student dropout behaviour. By an econometric analysis of data on Italian students and universities, it suggests that, although students' individual characteristics are more important in determining the dropout choice, two university characteristics are also relevant: the geographical fragmentation of individual universities and the number of three-year degree courses offered by a university, following the 2001 Italian reform of higher education. The latter finding is perhaps of particular significance inasmuch as one of the main justifications for the introduction of three-year degrees (the Bologna process) was precisely the idea that this would help reduce dropout of Italian students.