University Students' Perceptions of the Learning Environment and Academic Outcomes: Implications for theory and practice

ABSTRACT The relationship between university students ’ perceptions of their academic environment, their approaches to study, and academic outcomes was investigated at both university and faculty levels. The responses of a large, cross-disciplinary sample of undergraduate students were analysed using higher order path and regression analyses, and the results con � rmed students ’ perceptions as in � uencing both ‘hard ’ (academic achievement) and ‘soft ’ (satisfaction, development of key skills) learning outcomes, both directly and mediated through their approaches to study. Perceptions of heavy workload and inappropriate assessment in � uenced students towards surface, and perceptions of good teaching towards…