Abstract:

This research paper has explored mechanisms for improving academic performance of first year accounting students. Universities around the world struggle with the high failure rate of first-year accounting students, and South African universities are not different. According to published research, the throughput of accounting graduates is negatively impacted by high first-year failure rates at most universities. As such, these universities have implemented interventions to reduce academic underperformance and failure rates. The study was inspired by the social constructivism theory, and it was grounded in interpretive research paradigm deep-rooted in a qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling was used to select four first year students and two first year accounting lecturers at university of technology in South Africa. A thematic analysis was done to analyse the qualitative data generated through group interview. Themes that emerged from group interviews were instructional approaches and effective academic intervention programmes. This study further suggests work-integrated learning for students to put into practice the theory they have learned. Moreover, this will enhance the development of skills required in the labour market upon student completion of their degrees.

Keywords:

Academic performance, academic underperformance, failure rate, intervention mechanisms, work-integrated learning.