A third of Australian and New Zealand tertiary students seriously consider leaving their institutions before graduation, according to this study of student engagement.

A representative sample of more than 25,000 students from 29 Australian and New Zealand universities participated in the latest cycle of the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE), conducted in 2008 – the largest and most advanced survey of its kind.

Results show that, on average, 33 per cent of tertiary students consider leaving their institutions before graduation. Further, according to the AUSSE report, this figure is an underestimate, as it excludes students who have already discontinued their study.

Universities have been very successful in engaging students into study. The findings underline the challenges that institutions face in engaging students through to graduation.

Field of education has a significant effect on students' 'early departure' intentions. Science and agriculture students are the most likely to remain engaged through to graduation. Architecture, education and creative arts students report being most likely to depart prior to degree completion.

Students from remote backgrounds, students with disabilities, international students, and Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Maori and Pasific Islander students all report higher than average intentions of leaving study before completion.