UTAS recorded 42.46 per cent of domestic bachelor students dropped out in 2014, compared to 35.76 per cent the year before, and 20.32 per cent a decade ago.

Data released from the federal Department of Education found one in five first-year university students across the nation drop out.

The adjusted calculation rates for attrition at UTAS in 2014 was 38.13 per cent.

University of Tasmania deputy of students and education David Sadler said he accepted the university needed to bring educational opportunities to a population that was “less prepared for study, is generally older and regionally dispersed”. 

“The University’s attrition has grown instead in that part of the enterprise which is squarely focussed on our social mission,” Professor Sadler said. 

“Our innovations … have embraced areas that address acute social and workforce needs, as well as engaging older learners.” 

Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton said it was highly concerning to see so many students leaving.

“I think the main reason is the university has been expanding very rapidly in recent years and it’s particularly been expanding in online and part-time enrolments,” Mr Norton said. 

“We know from other research that both studying online and studying part time are substantial risk factors for dropping out.

“I think the courses themselves might be high quality but people are working or have families or other things which means it’s hard to concentrate on their studies.” 

Tasmanian Tertiary Education Union secretary Kelvin Michael said it was worrying to see the staggering results. 

“It’s a question of how much do you expect students to know upon entry in their first year and how much do you expect to teach them,” Dr Michael said.