FROM ENROLMENT TO GRADUATION: EXAMINING THE TIME TO COMPLETE UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

Abstract

This paper provides an insight into the length of time taken to complete studies in higher education. In many countries a large number of students enrolled in tertiary programmes take longer to complete their studies than the official required duration of the degree. This longer than necessary time to complete affects available labour resources and defers the entry from higher education into the labour market, reducing the labour supply and reducing tax revenues. This paper examines the determinants of this longer than necessary duration of studies and the techniques used in its analysis.