The impact of academic variables on the study experience of second year Hospitality Management students at selected South African Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Students from all backgrounds are facing challenges when they enter the higher education system. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the academic variables that impact on the overall study experience of second year Hospitality Management students at selected higher education institutions in South Africa. In order to identify the academic variables that could influence on the study experience of students, 228 participants from five selected universities completed a questionnaire. To determine the variables that impacted on the study experience, cross tabulations between categorical variables were tested for significance using Chi-square tests at the 5% level of significance. Results revealed statistically significant academic relationships for adapting to the academic workload (<0.01), coping with the academic demands of the learning programme (<0.0001), knowledge about the Hospitality Management learning programme prior to enrolment (<0.004), academic performance of the students (<0.005) and studying at their preferred institution (<0.01). Universities therefore have to assist students as far as possible to ensure that they graduate successfully and not terminate their well-intended studies.