From Aspirations to Decisions: A Biographical Study on Factors Influencing Postgraduate Students’ Choices of HEI in Malaysia

Syazuin Sazali, Rozina Muzaffar, Maya Lestari Muchtar and Najibah Binti Yasin
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Syazuin Sazali: International Islamic University Malaysia
Rozina Muzaffar: drb-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia
Maya Lestari Muchtar: International Islamic University Malaysia
Najibah Binti Yasin: Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen Enam, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 1, 5092-5109

Abstract: The study uses a qualitative biographical approach to investigate the factors influencing postgraduate students’ choice of Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Malaysia. The purpose of the study is to determine the factors that students consider on selecting universities, the factors that impact their choices, the significance of prior learning experiences, and opinions regarding the caliber of education. Two postgraduate students from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) who represented both local and international viewpoints participated in in-depth, unstructured interviews to gather data. By sharing their individual stories, the participants with previous work experience offered insights into their way of decision making. Emerging themes from the interviews were found using the thematic analysis method. The results show that there are 6 main factors that influence university choice: 1) the institutional environment, which includes Islamic and multicultural values; 2) the course offerings and academic flexibility; 3) opinions about quality of education; 4) accessibility, which includes being close to family; 5) recommendations and role models, which include peers and mentors; 6) individual motivations for learning and self-improvement. The significance of an encouraging academic community, hands on learning experiences, and the global exposure was emphasized by the participants. Personal circumstances also surfaced as special considerations, such as cultural compatibility and the availability of familiar foods. The study concludes that a variety of institutional and personal factors impacted by social, academic, and cultural contexts influence students’ university choices. In order to draw in and keep diverse postgraduate cohorts, this study emphasizes the importance of matching marketing tactics and academic offerings with students’ needs. To offer more comprehensive insights into the decision-making processes of postgraduate students in various educational contexts, future studies should increase the sample size and look into other factors like the impact of socio-economic status, gender, and geographic location.

Date: 2025
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