ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the progress made by those admitted under the Younger Students Pilot Scheme. However, while their progress rates are obviously critical in determining the suitability of the Open University for younger students, these rates must be placed in some sort of perspective. After an initial three month period of study new ‘provisionally-registered’ students decide whether to ‘finally register’ with the OU. Although academic considerations may obviously affect a student’s decision whether to complete final registration, it is entirely up to the student whether to continue. If the final registration fee is paid, students will receive teaching material for the rest of that year unless they specifically write in to withdraw. Many students withdraw from their Open University courses as a result of changes in their personal circumstances and others because they cannot cope academically. The chapter focuses on students who actually completed their courses and looks at their progress purely in terms of academic performance.
