Policy Frameworks and Strategic Approaches for Preventing and Reducing University Dropout Rates

The CNFIS-FDI-2025-0489 project, “Integrated strategies for counselling young people at academic risk” (PRO-EDU@UBc) consolidates the efforts previously made by “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău (UBc) regarding social inclusion policy and reducing university dropout rates, especially among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The problems faced by the academic environment regarding inclusive education have led universities to develop their own intervention mechanisms to increase access to education, combined with packages of measures to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in completing their studies. This study uses a multi-method qualitative design, combining document analysis and literature review with a descriptive institutional micro-case study. The latter aims to illustrate some of the strategies for addressing university dropout over the last 14 years at the UBc, at the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree levels. The results presented reflect the trends in university dropout and contribute to the identification of possible future strategies that could support intervention in academic management.