Journal of Business & Economic Policy

Choice of Higher Education Destination: Retaining International Students for Further Degree
Chuan Chew FOO, Russayani Ismail, Hock Eam LIM

Abstract
This particular study attempts to identify the factors that affect the decision of the currently enrolled international students in pursuing their higher level of study in Malaysia. This study classifies the factors into two main motives i.e. investment and consumption motives. The result reveals that around 71.8 per cent of the currently enrolled international students decided to further their studies and out of that percentage, 44.7 per cent chose to study in Malaysia, instead of other countries. Their decision to remain in Malaysia for further degree is found to be highly related to the consumption motive as compared to the investment motive, suggesting that the cost factor is secondary. The study also suggests that a good quality of service, the reputation of the institutions and the faculty members, social factor and the extent of promotion significantly influence the students’ decision to stay for further degree.

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