The Decision-Making Process in Access Paths to Master’s Degree Studies: The Case of International Students in Spain

Robert G. Valls-Figuera (), Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca, Soledad Romero-Rodríguez and Pedro Jurado- de-los-Santos
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Robert G. Valls-Figuera: Department of Research and Diagnostics in Education, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca: Department of Research and Diagnostics in Education, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Soledad Romero-Rodríguez: Department of Research and Assessment Methods in Education, School of Education, University of Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
Pedro Jurado- de-los-Santos: Department of Applied Pedagogy, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: International student mobility is an important dimension of internationalisation in higher education, involving a high percentage of students in certain subject areas. A literature review revealed the absence of studies deepening our knowledge of this group of students in specific contexts and stages. Thus, this survey study was undertaken to gather data on the profiles and academic and professional careers of a sample of students. Specific differences in their intrinsic and extrinsic motives for their choice of degree subject were found. A total of 314 students from 14 Master’s degree programmes at two public universities responded, 42.4% of whom were international students. The data showed differences in reasons for choice between international and Spanish-native students when enroling in a Master’s degree programme. The foreign students had diverse motivations, in many cases related to each other, with no predominance of extrinsic or intrinsic motives. This suggests that, when students are deciding to study abroad, universities should consider the importance of offering guidance to these students at the stage prior to accessing the Master’s degree.

Keywords: international student mobility; internationalisation; Master’s degree transition; international student decision-making process; higher education; degree mobility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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