A model of the factors affecting international postgraduate students’ pursuit of degrees: A case study

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present a model of the factors affecting international students’ pursuit of their academic degrees in tertiary institutions. This was achieved by identifying factors that commonly affect international postgraduate students. This was a questionnaire based case study with a sample of 24 post-graduate international students from one university in KwaZulu-Natal. Questionnaires were analysed using SPSS (version 21.0) and WarpPLS (4.0). WarpPLS (4.0) was used to draw up a statistically based model regarding the factors affecting international students in pursuit of their academic degrees. Results from the model show that financial stress, accommodation challenges, cultural shock, loneliness/homesick, communication skills and evaluation of their (previous) university experience affect students in their pursuit of their academic degrees in higher education. These findings could be used by students themselves to make them aware of possible challenges that lie ahead as well as by staff in international student offices at higher education institutions.