The study considers the retention of 708 students studying for higher education awards at further education colleges in 2008-2009. The study challenges the relevance of literature on retention at higher education institutions to students studying at partner colleges. Using data provided on registration and end-of-year status, the study considers individual factors identified by Yorke and Longden that relate to withdrawal in the first year of study. The findings of the study suggest that the diversity of students and the high degree of variability between courses mean that the institutional habitus of partner colleges is highly contextual. Consequently, the relationship between individual factors and withdrawal is seen as both complex and contextual. (Contains 5 tables and 3 figures.)