A degree still holds significant value on the job market. People who drop out of university have a worse economic situation and lower earnings, according to the latest data from the Economic Fate of Graduates monitoring system. WSEI University is involved in activities aimed at reducing the scale of dropouts. The university is implementing the project ‘Conscious Choice, Success in Studies, Stable Future – Comprehensive Support Programme for Students of WSEI University’.
Drop-out, i.e. giving up studies or interrupting education for various reasons, is a common phenomenon not only in Poland but also worldwide. Experts from the Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute published the autumn edition of the ELA system on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. They compared the fate of dropouts who gave up their studies with that of graduates. The data clearly shows that people who give up their studies lose out financially compared to those with a higher education diploma.
As experts point out, the potential benefits of migration for dropouts are significantly lower than those for graduates. For example, in the Łódź Province, dropouts who left the region earned less than those who remained, while graduates who left the province gained. - It can be said that dropouts migrating to another province are trying to bridge the gap between themselves and graduates. However, they are not succeeding – they still fare worse than graduates on the labour market - says PhD Marek Bożykowski, an expert at the Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute.
Experts from the Information Processing Centre and the National Research Institute also compared the median earnings of dropouts and graduates who remained in the province where they studied with those who left the province of their university after completing their education (with a degree or as a dropout).
New data from the Economic Fate of Graduates system show a clear financial advantage for graduates over dropouts, both among those who remained in the province where they studied and among those who left.
- The data presented in the latest edition of the Economic Fate of Graduates system clearly shows that dropout is not just an individual decision to discontinue studies, but a real loss for the entire higher education system and the economy. Dropping out of university limits young people's career opportunities and reduces the development potential of regions that need qualified specialists. That is why it is so important for universities, in cooperation with the ministry, to create conditions conducive to continuing education: from financial support, through flexible education paths, to better alignment of study programmes with changes in the labour market - emphasises Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
WSEI University responds to the phenomenon of drop-out
WSEI University supports young people at every stage of their education – from choosing a field of study, through starting their studies, to developing their skills and preparing for their future careers. From 1 October 2025 to 28 February 2029 the University is implementing the project ‘Conscious choice, Success in Studies, Stable Future – Comprehensive Support Programme for Students of WSEI University ’, whose main objective is to counteract the phenomenon of drop-out and resignation from studies described by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The project was developed on the basis of a detailed diagnosis conducted among students and an analysis of university data, which showed that decisions to drop out of university are most often the result of several factors overlapping simultaneously. The most important of these include: insufficient knowledge at the stage of choosing a field of study, difficulties in adapting during the first semesters, high levels of stress and mental strain, financial problems, the need to combine studies with professional work, and teaching difficulties.
The activities carried out as part of the project include both direct support for students and organisational changes affecting the quality of the education process and academic services.
The project includes interrelated tasks that correspond to different areas of the student's path:
Programme for informed educational choices
The task focuses on raising awareness among secondary school pupils, particularly those in their final year, and aims to reduce the risk of them making inappropriate and uninformed educational decisions.
Visits by University representatives to high schools
During the visits, students will receive comprehensive information about fields of study, admission requirements and forms of support offered by the University, such as scholarship programmes, financial aid, career counselling and psychological support.
The meetings will be interactive and will include multimedia presentations, discussion panels, and conversations with University representatives. Their aim will be to familiarise students in detail with the educational offer and career opportunities after graduation.
Open Week at the University
During the open days, students will have the opportunity to visit the University, familiarise themselves with its teaching infrastructure, modern laboratories and scientific facilities.
Thematic workshops, laboratory tours and academic class simulations will provide practical experience of the specifics of studying selected fields.
Meetings with teaching and administrative staff will enable students to obtain answers to questions about the organisation of studies and the career paths of graduates. Materials such as multimedia presentations will describe the study programmes in detail. The use of digital forms only is in line with the principles of sustainable development and allows for ongoing content updates.
Psychological support programme
The task is to provide students with professional psychological support that responds to the needs identified in a study on drop-out among students at WSEI University. Psychological support includes individual consultations, group workshops, crisis intervention, tutoring and preventive measures.