Factors that affect final degree performance

Birtill, P. (Pam), Harris, R. J. (Richard)¹, Coats, R. O. A. (Rachel)^1
1School of Psychology, University of Leeds, School of Psychology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds

 

Submission type

Poster only

Scheduled

Poster Sessions 4 (10.30-11:00), 27-09-2016, 10:30 - 11:00

Keywords

psychology degree; attainment; year in industry; year abroad

Summary

We examined data spanning 2 years of intake into a Psychology department in the North of England, with a view to determining predictors of the final score attained.

We examined the predictive power of performance in exams taken at the end of schooling (GCE A levels, usually aged 18) on final grade average achievement. We also examined the effect of events during the course of the Psychology degree, including taking part in the study abroad programme, a sandwich year in industry, and the experience of mitigating circumstances.

Preliminary analysis suggests that overall performance during A levels is strongly predictive of the final grade achieved in a Psychology undergraduate degree. After controlling for A level performance, taking part in the study abroad, or the sandwich year in industry, improves the final grade achieved compared with those students who finish their degree in 3 years. However, mitigating circumstances in any year of study did not seem to have any impact on student attainment.

Further analysis will examine the effect of different types of mitigating circumstances, to examine specifically whether mental health issues have an impact on student attainment.

Auteurs