What Impacts Academic Success in University?

Tang Howe Eng, Imelia Laura Daneil, Siti Faridah Bt Kamaruddin, Jacqueline Susan Rijeng

(Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Sarawak, Kampus Mukah, Sarawak, Malaysia)

Abstract: This study aims to explore the factors of academic success among university students at one of the Malaysian universities. In this study, every effort was made to include all of the full time diploma students of Faculty of Business Management of a public university for the past eight semester (four years) until April 2016 in order to provide a detailed overview of the entire population. The final samples yielded 382 randomly selected students for the past eight semesters until April 2016. The instruments comprised the report of final examination analysis of the students and the detailed information from the students’ database. The report of final examination analysis of the students and the students’ database provided data concerning students’ curriculum achievement in university and students’ CGPA. Information concerning students’ co-curriculum post can also be obtained and confirmed.

From the findings of Pearson bivariate correlational analysis, concerning the university subject results, there was significant correlation between students’ CGPA and English subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Accounting subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Mathematics subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Management subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Economy subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Marketing subject grade in university (p < 0.01), Finance subject grade in university (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between CGPA and co-curriculum post hold by university students during their academic year. In conclusion, academically successful students were found to perform better in university subjects. Extracurricular activities do not contribute to university students’ successful academic performance.

Key words: academic success, university student, curriculum achievement, correlation