Moogan, YJ (2020) An investigation into international postgraduate students’ decision-making process. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44 (1). pp. 83-99. ISSN 0309-877X
Abstract
This paper analyses the student decision-making model for international postgraduate (PG) students with a concentration on consumer service marketing principles. Using a grounded theory approach and exploratory techniques (focus groups), it investigates qualitatively why the UK is the destination choice, the rationale for the programme of study and the feelings of these students as they have progressed throughout the whole of the service consumption period. The longitudinal study incorporated focus groups with a sample size of 35 MBA students with each participant contributing four times over an eighteen months period and seven sets of focus groups were held making a total of 28 focus group sessions. Results found that uncertainty and shock in the initial periods were followed by more positive experiences later in the consumption process. Being a PG student can be challenging as tutors presume there is a prior awareness of the UK Higher Education learning environment and this was certainly not the case. Consequently students had felt intimidated earlier on but as the consumption process progressed and they started to experience their modules and learn, their confidence grew, because they had found their voice.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 UCU. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal of Further and Higher Education. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Postgraduate decision-making, student consumption experience, international students |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Jan 2019 13:48 |
Last Modified: | 06 May 2020 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/0309877X.2018.1513127 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:140634 |