Understanding the completion patterns of equity students in regional universities

Regional universities perform an important role in creating and contributing to dynamic communities in their regions and to increasing and widening participation in higher education. The successful completion of students who study at regional universities is not only a social justice issue but is critical to building capacity in these communities and contributing to the nation’s knowledge-based economy. A strong research base enables a better understanding of the dynamics influencing completion rates of students attending regional universities. This report focuses its analyses on the six members of the Regional Universities Network (RUN) and their students. Factors influencing regional participation are multi-dimensional and complex, with recent research focusing on the relative effects of membership within equity groups. This study seeks to synthesise knowledge on the characteristics of equity groups and the compounding effects of multiple equity group membership for student cohorts at RUN universities.