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That's an increase of 9%.
Almost 7,000 third-level students did not progress to the second year of their course in the 2021/2022 academic year.
That's according to the latest figures from the Higher Education Authority, which shows the rate of drop-outs is up 9%.
Some of the most common reasons for dropping out include poor mental health, financial stress and long commutes to and from campus.
Treasa Fox, Head of Student Counselling TUS Midlands says lecturers are seeing a lot of absenteeisms: