International students' motivations for studying in UK HE

Abstract

PurposeInternational students' HE decision making is a high stakes process. There is an insufficient evidence base that would aid university level strategic planning in areas of recruitment from the African continent and in supporting its students to maximise the benefits from a UK HE experience. This paper aims to explore the decision making and experience of African students in UK HE and provides hypothesis for re‐conceptualising these processes.Design/methodology/approachThe research was exploratory and part of a bigger project on international students' experience of UK HE. It employed focus group interviews with 28 students studying in two universities in the South of England together with semi structured discussion with staff in those institutions with a specific remit for recruiting from Africa.FindingsA six element model of decision making was developed from the data which identifies a range of push and pull factors operating within constraints of fears and anxieties about studying in UK HE. The data suggest that African students come to study in England on the promise of getting a truly international HE experience. Questions are however raised about whether this promise is delivered in full.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size and use of focus groups as a single data gathering strategy does not allow broad generalisation of findings. However, the evidence obtained enabled the generation of useful hypothesis to stimulate further research in this area. The research identifies implications for strategic decisions for recruitment, student support and curriculum and for future research in this area.Originality/valueThis is an area with patchy research and the research reported here provides a good basis for developing a broader research agenda in Africa to support decision making on a wider scale.

Impacts of Institutional Characteristics on International Students’ Choice of Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

“…Students evaluate programmes on the following criteria: programme offerings (Nagaraj et al, 2008), quality (Hassan & Sheriff, 2006), content and structure (Wagner & Fard, 2009;Joseph & Joseph, 2000) and international recognition (Maringe & Carter, 2007). Besides that, the programme's degree conferred by Malaysia's private HEI is likely to be recognized in the respective foreign students' country when it is accreditated by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).…”

Determinants of study abroad decisions among Indian students: a PLS approach

“…The cost of going to university plays an influential role when selecting between several universities that offer a similar course (Price and Matzdorf, 2003). However, Maringe and Carter (2007) in the study on international students' motivation to pursue higher education in UK showed a negative relationship between cost and student enrolment, meaning cost did not have an impact on other students. They further highlighted that most students come from wealthy families and they could afford any university fees despite the demand of the institution alone.…”

Counting Family: Making the Family of International Students Visible in Higher Education Policy and Practice

“…An established literature exists on the motivation of students to study overseas, and in the choice of country and institution (e.g., Maringe and Carter, 2007). This includes the theorization and modelling of decision-making processes, none of which factor in partners and/or children (Mazzarol and Soutar, 2002;Cubillo et al, 2006;Altbach and Knight, 2007).…”