Entrepreneurial perceptions and knowledge: A survey of final year university students

Abstract

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of final year university students towards entrepreneurship gaining insights regarding a gender, race and faculty perspectives. Students across all faculties believed that entrepreneurship education is important and less than half of the final year students showed interest in becoming entrepreneurs. More male students than female students indicated interest in starting a business. More African students indicated interest in starting a business compared to other race groups (Coloureds, Whites and Indians). There was a significant difference between the male and female students on the knowledge of entrepreneurship. The Economic and Management Science Faculty showed the best results on the knowledge of entrepreneurship. Indian and White students scored the highest in the knowledge of entrepreneurship. This study adds to the debates on the need for entrepreneurship education at tertiary institutions across the different faculties.