Abstract:

Architecture is a professional course generally perceived as prestigious in many countries. Hence in Nigeria, it is one of the courses that have been consistently over-subscribed to by applicants seeking admission to higher institutions. Reports from several schools of architecture however suggest that the initial zeal with which students commence their architectural training programme dwindles in the course of the programme as evidenced by their academic performance. Using both qualitative and quantitative survey methods, this paper investigated the factors that affect the academic performance of architecture students. Students for the study were drawn from selected public and private schools of architecture in Nigeria. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Preliminary results show that socio-economic status of parents, personal characteristics like gender, learning style, motivation for studying architecture and determination were major factors that affect academic performance of students. However, students’ learning environment and academic level advising did not appear to have significant influence on students’ outcome. This paper contributes to the on-going discuss on students’ academic outcomes by identifying areas that parents, school management and teaching staff need to pay greater attention in order to ensure better student outcomes

Keywords:

Architecture, students, academic outcomes, Nigeria.