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Students' Preferences in Selection of Computer Science and Informatics Studies - A Comprehensive Empirical Case Study

Miloš Savić¹, Mirjana Ivanović¹, Ivan Luković², Boris Delibašić³, Jelica Protić⁴ and Dragan Janković⁵

1. University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences
   Trg Dositeja Obradovića 4, Novi Sad, Serbia
   {svc, mira}@dmi.uns.ac.rs
2. University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences
   Trg Dositeja Obradovića 6, Novi Sad, Serbia
   ivan@uns.ac.rs
3. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
   Jove Ilića 154, Belgrade, Serbia
   boris.delibasic@fon.bg.ac.rs
4. University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering
   Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, Serbia
   jelica.protic@etf.bg.ac.rs
5. University of Niš, Faculty of Electronic Engineering
   Aleksandra Medvedeva 14, Niš, Serbia
   dragan.jankovic@elfak.ni.ac.rs

Abstract

A selection of Computer Science, Informatics or similar study programs for academic studies evidently becomes an emerging choice of a vast number of students in recent years. To address some of the open questions, we performed an empirical study based on a survey, with a goal to find out the main motivating factors directing students to select computer science, informatics or similar programs for studying in a much greater extent. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1517 students from five well established, and most traditional faculties of computer science and informatics at three largest university cities in Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. The created sample is representative enough to illustrate the current situation and trends common for many similar societies. Our first analyses show that the main motivating factor to select computer science or informatics study program at all faculties is a students’ motivation to study just that topic, while at management faculty it is significantly less important. However, we also noticed that significant number of students wished to study something else but chose computer science and informatics due to possibility of finding jobs easier and of earning higher salaries in industry. The most important influential factors to choose a computer science or informatics major come from family members, and close relatives. The perceived brand and reputation of a faculty also plays a significant role. Students being examined prevalently tend to be satisfied with the faculty they have chosen. However, many of them see themselves leaving the country in a near or far future.

Key words

students' preferences, computing education, Serbia

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.2298/CSIS200901054S

Publication information

Volume 18, Issue 1 (January 2021)
Year of Publication: 2021
ISSN: 2406-1018 (Online)
Publisher: ComSIS Consortium

Full text

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How to cite

Savić, M., Ivanović, M., Luković, I., Delibašić, B., Protić, J., Janković, D.: Students' Preferences in Selection of Computer Science and Informatics Studies - A Comprehensive Empirical Case Study. Computer Science and Information Systems, Vol. 18, No. 1, 251–283. (2021), https://doi.org/10.2298/CSIS200901054S