Perceptions and Experiences of Physiotherapy Students Regarding their Academic Year Environment in a Health Sciences University in Tshwane, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is a university established in 2015 on the Medunsa campus of University of Limpopo (UL) due to the unbundling from UL. In 2016, physiotherapy students of SMU complained about deficiencies in their academic achievements and learning. This incident inspired a study to determine perceptions and experiences of physiotherapy students towards their academic learning environment and to measure their academic performances. The study used a mix of quantitative and qualitative descriptive design. It used a questionnaire to collect data variables on student satisfaction concerning items of learning and teaching. Analysis of data depended on graphical displays and descriptive statistics. Study participants were registered SMU physiotherapy students making the total population size of 181 distributed as 47 first years, 51 second years, 39 third years and 44 fourth years. The study found a high level of discontent with teaching conduct. Various deficiencies were identified from the student’s viewpoint. The study concluded that majority of students were dissatisfied with lecturing methods, academic conduct and the entire learning environment.