Socio-economic, environmental and personal factors in the choice of country and higher education institution for studying abroad among international students in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to understand the pull factors that influenced international students’ choice of country and institution for their Master’s education.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study relied upon focus group interviews with 70 international students registered in taught Master programmes at a higher education (HE) institution in Malaysia for data collection.

Findings

It was found that socio-economic, environmental and personal factors played important role in the international student’s decision making process of choosing the country and HE institution.

Research limitations/implications

The article concludes with recommendations for Malaysian universities to consider in their marketing strategies to promote Malaysia as an international education’s hub.

Originality/value

This article focuses on research into the lives of international students who are currently pursuing their Master education at a public Malaysian university. This article discusses the three attributes that led this particular group of students to select Malaysia and the particular HE institution to further their taught Master programmes.

Citation

Mehar Singh, M.K. (2016), "Socio-economic, environmental and personal factors in the choice of country and higher education institution for studying abroad among international students in Malaysia", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-11-2014-0158