Reem A. M. Al Hashmi, Panagiotis D. Zervopoulos, Hussein M. Elmehdi
ABSTRACT
University student dropout is a persistent global challenge, but the conditions that shape attrition vary significantly across regions. This review aims to compare determinants of university dropout across international and MENA contexts to inform more effective institutional policy. A total of 47 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024 were systematically selected from Scopus and ERIC. Studies were included based on predefined criteria and analyzed using thematic synthesis. The findings are organized into four domains: academic, socio-economic, institutional, and personal factors. International research highlights academic preparedness, student motivation, and institutional support as key drivers of retention. In contrast, MENA-based studies emphasize distinct structural barriers, including language-of-instruction mismatches, conditional scholarship policies, and limited curricular flexibility. These regional contrasts reveal the limitations of applying Western-derived dropout models in structurally and culturally different contexts. The review concludes that student retention efforts must be regionally adapted to reflect local policy conditions and sociocultural realities. It contributes to a more contextualized understanding of student attrition and offers evidence-based recommendations for institutional leaders and higher education policymakers.
