Student throughput trends on postgraduate level: An African case study

Student retention and throughput is a global phenomenon facing higher education that dates back to the 1960s and currently remains a critical concern worldwide. Research literature on student retention and throughput trends at higher education institutions continuously refers to the ways in which the various stakeholders at tertiary institutions take important decisions to ensure a better completion rate (throughput) among postgraduate students at these institutions. In promoting further appreciation of throughput among postgraduate students, this paper, based on an empirical study among a number of postgraduate students at the University of Ghana, reviews some trends and possible factors that may play a role in postgraduate student throughput at African universities in general and at this university in particular. The outcomes of this study show that student throughput at this institution has decreased over time due to, inter alia, financial difficulties, personal challenges and fewer opportunities for students to get study leave from employers. The paper concludes with recommendations to improve student throughput at postgraduate level in Africa such as academic counselling before enrolling for postgraduate studies.