Factors Dependent on University Management as Determinants of Student Performance: A Multivariate Analysis

Student performance is one of the main concerns of any university community. In this study we attempt to explore this issue in three ways. Firstly, we endeavour to adapt the concept of student performance to the EHEA. This new context requires the concept of performance to be converted into a multidimensional variable that includes not only grades, but the acquisition of competencies associated with the degree. Secondly, while most published studies focus on issues related to students, here we analyze only those factors that determine student performance that fall within the scope of university management, that is, factors that can be subjected to actions and policies for improvement. Finally, we conduct a multivariate analysis of explanatory factors, since our object of study is the result of the joint, simultaneous interaction of several variables. Thus, our main objective is the joint analysis of the factors dependent on university management as determinants of student performance within the context of the EHEA. From a sample of 264 students from the University of the Basque Country subjected to logit analysis, we observe that the use of ICT, group size, lecturer or professor characteristics, teaching methodology and the requirement of physical presence in the classroom are factors that determine student performance. However, the relevance of these factors differs depending on the performance indicator used (grade earned; personal, instrumental or systematic competencies). Therefore, it is essential for universities to set their priorities or objectives to concentrate their efforts in a particular direction.