Student Perceptions of Learning in First Year in an Economics and Commerce Faculty

This article examines the perceptions and experiences of first year students in an Economics and Commerce Faculty. First year Bachelor of Commerce students responded to pre- and post- university experience surveys of their approaches to learning and experience of the learning environment in the faculty. Students' responses indicated a slide into surface learning during their first year and indicated that their expectations of learning at the university level were not realised. English speaking background (ESB) and nonEnglish speaking background (NESB) students were compared. While few differences between the two groups were identified a slight preference for social forms of learning and deeper approaches to learning were observed for NESB students. The implications of the findings for first year teaching are discussed.