UNIVERSITY chiefs in Huddersfield say they are working hard to reduce student dropouts.
Their comment came after above-average rates were revealed.
Figures showed one in four students - that's 25% - were failing to complete their degree.
University bosses today admitted they had a problem - but said the dropout level was on its way down.
Spokesman Phil Williams said: "We have a good record for recruiting from the lower socio-economic groups.
"But that in turn has affected our dropout rate as people leave because they had not known what to expect at university or possibly because of financial problems."
Neighbouring Bradford University had a 17% dropout rate while at Leeds it was 8% and at Sheffield 7%.
The figures were revealed in the Sunday Times University Guide, which put Huddersfield 93rd out of 121 institutions, judged on teaching and other factors.
The position was 10 places up on last year.
Mr Williams said: "The dropout rates include, perhaps unfairly, students who have transferred to other courses.
"They are historical figures and we have taken quite a few measures to improve them."
He said he was pleased that Huddersfield University had scored well on other factors, such as its teaching.
Highest dropout rate in the country is 38% at London Metropolitan University.
The Central Lancashire figure is 33.5%.
