Trends in Higher Education Course Choice of Secondary School Leavers in Malaysia

Abstract

The study was aimed at examining trends in the higher education course choice of secondary school leavers in Malaysia and investigating the relationships of their course choice to their gender and socio‐economic background. The study uses a stratified‐random sample of secondary school students who are in their final year of secondary schooling. Data was collected through a questionnaire via the postal services. The results indicated that the higher education course choice of large proportions (78.8%) of secondary school leavers in Malaysia tended to be limited to only five degree courses. The findings reveal that except for engineering, the other four courses are non‐scientific in nature. In addition, school leavers of both genders expressed tended less towards the mathematical, computer, medical and natural sciences. These school leavers’ higher education course choice are significantly associated with their gender and socio‐economic background. Interpretations and implications of the results are also discussed.