THE University of Bradford has seen a 2.1 per cent rise in students dropping out in the last five years, official figures show.

The figure is on track with the nationwide picture where two thirds of universities and colleges have also seen an increase.

The analysis by PA examined the five-year period from 2011/12 - the year before tuition fees in England were trebled to £9,000 - to 2016/17.

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), said the increase could be in part linked to first-in-family students may know less about what to expect. Mr Hillman said: "Leaving a course early does not always mean someone should not have had a go."

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has already urged universities to "up their game" and do more to retain students, mainly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.