Modelling Choice of Destination of Hong Kong Students

Abstract

Many universities are interested in knowing why overseas students choose one country over another in which to pursue their studies. Most Hong Kong students who study overseas choose either Australia, the UK, the USA or Canada, but why do they choose one over another? Exploratory research identified 17 variables thought to influence this choice. These variables were structured into a model of choice of destination involving three underlying dimensions: course and country characteristics, administrative processes, and costs. The model and two competing models were tested using data gathered through a questionnaire personally administered to 354 Hong Kong residents intending to study overseas. The model with the best fit contained only course and country characteristics.