Predicting undergraduates' academic achievement: the role of the curriculum, time investment and self-regulated learning

Abstract

The time students invest in their studies and their resulting achievement is partly dependent on curriculum characteristics. Degree programmes differ greatly with respect to how the curriculum is organized, for example in the type (e.g. lectures, practicals) and the number of classes. The focus of this study is on the relationships between curriculum characteristics, self-regulated learning, time investment and achievement. Structural equation modelling was used to study the relations between these variables in a sample of 200 bachelor degree students in four degree programmes. Results show separate positive effects of the number of scheduled classes and class attendance on academic achievement. At the same time, more scheduled lectures and practicals lead to lower class attendance and time spent on self-study. Self-discipline and motivation predict achievement indirectly through class attendance.

Keywords:

• academic achievement
• self-regulated learning
• curriculum design
• self-study
• class attendance

Acknowledgement

This project was funded by the Dutch Ministery of Education, Culture and Science.