STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE RETENTION OF POSTGRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES: An Australian Case

In spite of the clear value of postgraduate business students to many providers of
distance education courses, the factors affecting the retention of these students have
received limited attention in the literature. In addressing this gap, this paper presents the
findings of a qualitative study into the factors affecting the retention of postgraduate
business students at a major Australian distance education university. The findings of this
study suggest that a range of situational, dispositional and attitudinal factors impact
upon student retention on this context, both as enablers of and obstacles to ongoing
participation. In many cases, these factors differ to those identified in the existing
literature on student retention. Based on these findings, we present a range of strategies
designed to improve the retention of postgraduate business students by maximising
enabling factors and minimising the impact of any identified obstacles. Limitations of the
study and suggestions for further research are also presented.