Assessing the factors affecting a student obtaining a first choice at university: case study of CoBAMS Makerere University

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess factors that influence a student obtaining the first choice of course at university. Specifically, 104 students of COBAMS were randomly selected from three schools from which the required data was collected through the use of a questionnaire approach. In order to establish the relationship between these factors and a student obtaining their first choice, whether or not a student obtained their first choice at university were used to measure student’s attainment of first choice. The study revealed that factors such as student’s career aspirations and points obtained at A level had a significant relationship with student’s academic performance. This relationship was achieved through running cross tabulations. Also factors such as student’s sex, age, parents’ influence, parent’s education level, showed an insignificant relationship with student’s academic performance. The study concludes that students who have higher points at A level and willing to chase after their career aspirations have higher chances of obtaining their first choice at University. It subsequently recommends that students should put in more effort at A level and the government slightly reducing entry points.