n South African Journal of Higher Education - Honours degree performance as predictor of achievement on Master's degree level : research in higher education

Abstract

This research was undertaken in the context of the increasing demand in higher education in South Africa to improve the delivery of high-quality Master's and doctoral graduates. A measure frequently applied to improve the slow completion and high dropout rate of these students is to select for admission. In many cases the selection for admission to Master's degree studies relies very heavily on performance at Honours degree level. The question addressed in this research is whether performance at Honours degree level is a reliable predictor of success at Master's degree level where research is the predominant activity. It was found that a set of predictors, representing performance in the Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Hons) degree, proved to be very limited with regard to the prediction of achievement in the Master of Education (MEd) programme. Some thoughts were expressed based on this conclusion.