Factors Affecting Academic Performances of Undergraduates: A Case Study with Third Year Science Undergraduate of Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Academic performances of undergraduates may depend on several factors and they may vary from area to area and time to time. Identification of such factors is much useful in developing their education. Main objective of this study was to find key factors that affect academic performances of undergraduates of Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Data for this study were collected from students in the third year of study through a questionnaire that covers socio-economic factors, performances in primary and secondary education in schools, extra studies and extracurricular activities, and other status within the University. Grade Point Average (GPA) up to the third year of study was used as the response for academic performances. This study could reveal that academic performances (GPA) of third year undergraduates depend on gender, performances in mother language, English language, and stream of study at University. Performances of female undergraduates are higher than that of male under gra duates meanwhile undergraduates in the biology stream show better performances. Performances of undergraduates are positively correlated with the fluency in English.