Melbourne Graduate School of Education - Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Indian students' perspective on student decision-making and their expectations of their chosen Australian university
    Ahmad, Sameena ( 2006)
    Set in a Victorian research-intensive university, this study investigates the decision making criteria of Australian bound Indian students. It investigates the factors that influence the formation of initial expectations of Indian students of their chosen Australian University. Six distinct areas, namely, course curriculum, teaching staff, student life, classmates, on-campus facilities and support services are explored to find out what the Indian students' expectations of these six areas are and how they came about expecting the same. Previous student experience studies have identified that marketing of education has the potential to shape the expectations of the prospective students' university experience. Furthermore, dissatisfaction resulting from a mismatch between what students expect and what is delivered could result in an increase in the withdrawal of students in the first year. While there has been substantial research in the area of student decision-making in relation to choice of higher education institution and destination of study, little is known about international student expectations of their chosen university. Drawing from key studies in both the higher education sector and the business discipline, this study lifts the curtain on important issues regarding Indian students' decision-making and expectations. Not only are key decision-making criteria and initial expectations identified, but also, important issues like assumptions that students make when deciding upon a university and reasons why students form their initial expectations are also discussed. These findings add to the present body of knowledge on the subject by proposing a conceptual model depicting how students' expectations about higher education change over time. The study also makes a notable contribution by highlighting significant principles that may guide future research, policy and practice in relation to the international student market in Australian higher education.