Class size and its influence on examination results in higher education

Abstract

In this article, we analyze the relationship between class sizes and examination results in higher education. Data from the University of Stavanger, collected in the Common Student System (FS) in the period from 2011 to 2021 shows that there is a clear correlation between the number of students enrolled on courses and examination results. An increased number of students taking a course negatively affects the examination results. We also show that the difference in examination results for different class sizes decreases when the course level increases.