The way students perceive learning is influenced by multiple factors. The present study aimed at establishing relationships between the learning approaches, academic performance, and the academic year in a sample of students from different courses of Universidad Central “Marta Abreu”, Las Villas. For this ex post facto study, a probabilistic sample was used based on a simple random sampling of 524 university students who participated in the Study Process Questionnaire. The analysis of variance (MANOVA and ANOVA) and the analysis of <span name="style_italic">clusters</span> reported associations between a deep approach to learning and a better academic performance. These analyses showed differences in the learning approach in the different courses, predominantly a soft approach. reported associations between a deep approach to learning and a better academic performance. These analyses showed differences in the learning approach in the different courses, predominantly a soft approach.

Learning approaches; academic performance; academic year; university students