The increasing number of students enrolled in higher education institutions and the growing demand in the labour market for university graduates make the analysis of study success and study dropout more and more important. Dropping out from higher education is a complex process and students have very different motives for leaving university without obtaining a degree. We provide a detailed analysis of the different dropout reasons and aim at identifying distinctive types of dropout students using cluster analysis. The most important reasons for leaving university without a degree were in this study observed to be mainly related to interest and expectations concerning study programmes as well as aspects associated with student performance. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, we have found that the dropout decision was based on a variety of reasons, rather than a clear single motive. Our results provide higher education institutions insights into the process of dropping out and thereby a basis for suitable and more specific countermeasures.

中文翻译：

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退出高等教育的动机-德国学士学位学生的分析

进入高等院校的学生人数不断增加，以及大学毕业生对劳动力市场的需求不断增加，对学习成功和学习辍学的分析变得越来越重要。辍学是一个复杂的过程，学生在没有获得学位的情况下离校的动机也大不相同。我们提供了各种辍学原因的详细分析，并旨在通过聚类分析来识别辍学学生的独特类型。这项研究表明，离开大学没有学位的最重要原因主要与对学习计划以及与学生表现相关的兴趣和期望有关。使用分层聚类分析，我们发现辍学决定是基于多种原因，而不是明确的动机。我们的结果为高等院校提供了关于退学过程的见识，从而为采取适当和更具体的对策提供了依据。