Seats of learning in York are staying sat in - with latest figures showing low drop-out rates.

Performance indicators published by the Higher Education Funding Council show both the city's university and Ripon and York College are retaining more students, and both institutions are winning in other areas as well.

Only five per cent of students at the University of York are failing to complete their studies, and consequently it has a high efficiency rating of 95 per cent.

The college's rating is 92 per cent, with an eight per cent drop-out rate. Mature students scored even better, with just six per cent currently dropping out.

Ripon and York College is particularly proud of the figures which reveal the higher numbers of new students coming to them from non-traditional backgrounds.

This year 15 per cent of freshers are from "low participation backgrounds" - up one per cent on last year. The college's intake from state schools is 94 per cent compared with last year's figure of 89 per cent.

Dr Greg Lodge, executive dean in charge of academic development, said: "We are delighted with what these performance indicators say about our college. We are very committed to providing better access to higher education in York and North Yorkshire for a wider cross-section of the community.

"Widening access to higher education is not an optional extra for us - it is at the heart of everything we do.

"We attract students from low participation areas and then offer them a very special, welcoming educational environment to ensure their success."