Graduation of computer science students within the nominal study period and relevant predictive variables

Le résumé fourni par la source

Background and Context Students in Computer Science (CS) tend to have high dropout rates. The variables related to dropout have been studied, but no consensus has been found regarding the most important influence factors including university admission requirements that can be variable for different countries and universities.Objective This empirical study examines the variables which predict whether CS students graduate within the nominal study period, and whether variables in models differ for female and male students.Method Data of 390 CS students’ personal characteristics, academic preparation before the university and academic achievement during the first year were included in this quantitative study as potential variables predicting completion of CS studies within the nominal study period. The data were analysed using binary logistic regression.Findings Graduation within the nominal study period was influenced by factors such as student age, gender, higher secondary education graduation with honours, and the percentage of curriculum completion in the second semester. For both female and male students, higher secondary education graduation with honours and the percentage of curriculum completion in the second semester emerged as the key predictors of timely graduation.Implications The CS admissions processes should reconsider placing greater weight on honours graduation. Second-semester academic progress should be used to trigger early-alert systems and offer proactive academic support. Interventions should be customized to offer flexible schedules and personalized advisory options for older students and provide additional monitoring for male students.

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