This study explored student factors affecting academic success among undergraduate students at a historically Black and a historically White South African public higher education institution. Qualitative methodology was used. Data were collected through five focus group discussions from 31 undergraduate students. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The following student factors affected participants’ academic success: academic self-efficacy, peer relationships, parental engagement and support, motivation, time management, adjustment, emotional wellbeing, lack of information, socio-economic status, and language proficiency. This study showed that structural, racialised inequalities in South Africa underpin many apparent student factors that influence academic success in higher education.

这项研究探索了影响历史悠久的黑人和历史悠久的南非公立高等教育机构的本科生学业成就的学生因素。使用定性方法。通过来自31名本科生的五次焦点小组讨论收集了数据。主题分析用于分析数据。以下学生因素影响了参与者的学业成就：学业自我效能，同伴关系，父母的参与和支持，动机，时间安排，调整，情绪健康，缺乏信息，社会经济地位和语言能力。这项研究表明，南非的结构性种族不平等加剧了许多影响高等教育学业成功的明显学生因素。