Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations

Purpose – This study aims to investigate and identify key motivations behind Chinese students’ decisions to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a cross-border cooperative university (CBCU). Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 undergraduate students wh...

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Main Author: Huaqing He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Higher Education Evaluation and Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/HEED-11-2024-0052/full/pdf
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author Huaqing He
author_facet Huaqing He
author_sort Huaqing He
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – This study aims to investigate and identify key motivations behind Chinese students’ decisions to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a cross-border cooperative university (CBCU). Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in a cross-border cooperative university (CBCU). The data were analyzed based on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Findings – Two primary motivations were identified: intrinsic motivations, including the desire for new experiences, quality educational resources, broader horizons and institutional support; and extrinsic motivations, such as constraints from Gaokao scores, uncertainties from the National College Entrance Examination system and the institution’s reputation enhancing their academic credentials. Most students exhibit a combination of these motivations, which interact to influence their university choice, with variations based on individual profiles. Originality/value – By examining and understanding the motivations of Chinese students, this study provides insights for higher education institutions to enhance student-centered services and highlights the benefits of educational collaboration, offering guidance for policymakers and stakeholders involved in similar initiatives.
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spelling doaj-art-7a1756d980b744b587c8a39bf49580a82025-08-20T03:07:43ZengEmerald PublishingHigher Education Evaluation and Development2514-57892514-57972025-06-01191546910.1108/HEED-11-2024-0052Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivationsHuaqing He0Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaPurpose – This study aims to investigate and identify key motivations behind Chinese students’ decisions to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a cross-border cooperative university (CBCU). Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in a cross-border cooperative university (CBCU). The data were analyzed based on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Findings – Two primary motivations were identified: intrinsic motivations, including the desire for new experiences, quality educational resources, broader horizons and institutional support; and extrinsic motivations, such as constraints from Gaokao scores, uncertainties from the National College Entrance Examination system and the institution’s reputation enhancing their academic credentials. Most students exhibit a combination of these motivations, which interact to influence their university choice, with variations based on individual profiles. Originality/value – By examining and understanding the motivations of Chinese students, this study provides insights for higher education institutions to enhance student-centered services and highlights the benefits of educational collaboration, offering guidance for policymakers and stakeholders involved in similar initiatives.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/HEED-11-2024-0052/full/pdfTransnational higher educationCross-border cooperative university (CBCU)International branch campusesGreater Bay Area (GBA)Student choiceMotivation
spellingShingle Huaqing He
Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
Higher Education Evaluation and Development
Transnational higher education
Cross-border cooperative university (CBCU)
International branch campuses
Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Student choice
Motivation
title Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
title_full Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
title_fullStr Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
title_full_unstemmed Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
title_short Chinese students’ selection of cross-border cooperative universities for tertiary education: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
title_sort chinese students selection of cross border cooperative universities for tertiary education intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
topic Transnational higher education
Cross-border cooperative university (CBCU)
International branch campuses
Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Student choice
Motivation
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/HEED-11-2024-0052/full/pdf
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