Case Study: Factors Affecting Thai Students' Decision to Study in UK

This case study investigates the factors influencing Thai students to pursue higher education in Birmingham, UK. The research employs an interpretivist philosophy, experimental design, and a deductive approach, utilizing secondary qualitative data. The study identifies key motivational factors such as family, friends, and scholarship opportunities, as well as personal factors that drive students to choose Birmingham universities. The analysis reveals that Thai students are generally satisfied with the UK education system. The research aims to provide insights for universities seeking to attract Thai students and for future researchers exploring similar topics. Desklib is a valuable resource for students seeking solved assignments and study materials.

A Case Study of the factors influencing
Thai students to further their studies
in the UK

ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this dissertation is to conduct exploratory study of different factors which
influence Thai students to complete their higher studies in Birminham, UK.
Research Methodology: For attaining aim and objectives of this research, the author has used
interpretivsim research philosophy. It is effective for completing current investigation on
different factors that can affect decisions of Thai students. For the current investigation the
author has used experimental research design because it is an effective design which provides a
meaningful answers using appropriate theory. Along with this, the author has used deductive
research approach and use hypothesis testing for checking the reliability and validity of relevant
theories for current research subject. For the current study author has applied qualitative
technique because researcher needs to understand the research concept. The researcher has
adopted secondary research measure for collecting facts and figures about the different factors
that influence the Thai students for getting higher education from UK. As per the discussion of
research strategy, the author has used qualitative technique so, study has applied only contain
single technique for analysing such kinds of facts and figures.
Conclusion: From the secondary analysis, it has concluded that there have several major
purposes behind completing higher education in Birmingham of Thai students. The most
important factors that influence Thai students to complete their higher study in UK University
are family and friends, scholarship amount of universities etc. Apart from this, personal factors
that motivate the students to study in a Birmingham university. Thai students have completely
satisfied with the education system of universities of city of Birmingham.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: introduction....................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Aim and objectives....................................................................................................................1
1.3 Dissertation structure.................................................................................................................1
1.4 Significance of the study...........................................................................................................2
1.5 Value of study aboard................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................4
1. Background of higher education..................................................................................................4
2. Theory..........................................................................................................................................7
3. Influence factors to students studying aboard...........................................................................10
4. Educational policies framed by UK government for migrants..................................................13
5. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................17
Chapter 3: Research methodology.................................................................................................18
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................18
4.2 Project rationale.......................................................................................................................18
4.3 Focus and purpose...................................................................................................................19
4.4 Research questions...................................................................................................................19
4.5 Research philosophy................................................................................................................19
4.6 Research design.......................................................................................................................20
4.7 Approach of the study..............................................................................................................22
4.8 Research strategy.....................................................................................................................22
4.9 Data collection methods..........................................................................................................23
4.10 Data analysis..........................................................................................................................23
4.11 Ethical considerations............................................................................................................24
4.12 Validity and reliability...........................................................................................................24
4.13 Research limitation................................................................................................................25
chapter 4: data analysis..................................................................................................................27
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................27
4.2 Thematic analysis....................................................................................................................27
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.....................................................35
5.1 Conclusions..............................................................................................................................35
5.2 Recommendations....................................................................................................................37
references.......................................................................................................................................39

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Shares of the world’s internationally mobile students, 2013...........................................5
Figure 2: Elaboration likelihood model...........................................................................................9

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Global trends in education sector have direct impact on post-graduate studies of students
in developing nations. Due to economic instabilities, some countries are facing crucial challenges
in providing qualityeducational services to students. On the other hand, some developed
countries are able to provide better educational facilities to students worldwide. India, China,
Russia, Brazil and Thailand are the major nations facing issues in providing better educational
services to their citizens. For example, a number of universities in Thailand do not provide
appropriate opportunities of placement, campus, training and other sports activities of growth
and development of students (Hazelkorn, 2015). Major reasons behind these issues are lack of
physical and financial resources as well as education development. It can be reflected from the
global trend that education from developed countries has a very high demand, as compare to
developing nations. These universities are offering appropriate educational facilities, career
opportunities, scholarships and international placements. All these features have attracted
students from developing nations to further their study in developed countries. From this
situation, the author has decided to conduct a study in this subject. Ultimately, the author would
like to disclose the actual reasons and factors that influence Thai students to further their study in
the UK universities. Regarding this, researcher has been used a very systematic process for
conducting investigation in effective manner and this process is described in the following
dissertation.
1.2 Aim and objectives
Aim:
The aim of this dissertation is to conduct exploratory study of different factors which
influence Thai students to complete their higher studies inBirminham, UK.
Research objectives
 To investigate major purposes influencing Thai students to study in Birmingham.
 To examine motivational factors of Thai students studying in Birmingham
 To explore other personal factors of Thai students which affect their decision to further
their study in Birmingham.
1.3 Dissertation structure
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In this study, the researcherwill use a systematic structure which will comprise a number
of chapters. A brief discussion of these chapters are described as under:
 Chapter 1 – Introduction: It can be considered as brief discussion of the whole research
study. It comprises aim, objectives, focus, purpose and rational of the study. It helps in
understanding the research behind this study. Further, this chapter will also provide
appropriate support in obtaining information about the framework and analysis of the
research methodology. Afterwards it also includes a systematic structure of the whole
exploration investigation (Goddard and Melville, 2004). Chapter 2 – Literature review: It is one of the most important chapters for collecting
secondary data on current research subject. This chapter will comprise historical research
studies and their findings which are relevant to the current subject. It will help in getting
insights to develop appropriate research questions for resolving research problem.
Overall, it is one of the important chapter for understanding research subject.
 Chapter 3 – Research Methodology: It comprises number of research method which will
be required for completing investigation in effective manner. It helps in completing a
whole research in effective manner. This chapter will help establishing the data collection
and analysis methods which will help in resolving research problem in effective manner
(Kumar, 2014).
 Chapter 4 – Data analysis: This chapter will comprise number of methods which will be
used by researcher for analysing facts and figures of the research subject. For the current
research study author will comprise thematic analysis method for examining collected
secondary facts and figures in effective manner. It will disclose the actual findings of the
current research study.
 Chapter 5 - Conclusion: The current study is based on different factors which are
influencing the Thai students for moving towards the UK universities for higher
education. So, it will comprise the conclusion and recommendations of the current study
which will help in completing further investigation in more effective manner (Daniel and
Sam, 2011).
1.4 Significance of the study
This researcher focuses on Thai students which are moving towards the UK universities.
Therefore, the findings of this research will be beneficial for researchers who would like to
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conduct their future research on similar subjects. Along with this, using the findings of current
study future researcher will complete research on students of other nations who are moving
towards the UK universities.
1.5 Value of study aboard
This research study will be insightful for Thai students who wish to come to the UK
fortheir higher studies. Along with this, UK universities can also use the findings of this research
to analyse behaviour of Thai students. It will help universities in taking decisions about
education facilities which can attract students. Along with this, it will disclose motivational and
personal factors of Thai students which will encourage Thai students to get better education from
foreign universities (Hayden and Thiep, 2015). It will be beneficial for understanding buyer’s
behaviour in effective manner.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review can be defined as a process of collecting secondary information about
the research subject. It plays important roles in getting insights from theoretical framework about
the research issues which will resolve it in appropriate way. Furthermore, it will also help in
conducting the whole investigation using specific research process (Coulter and Roggeveen,
2012). According to the research aim and objectives, literature will be based on different
motivational and personal factors which influence Thai students to persue the higher education in
the UK. There are a number of sources which playan importantrole in obtaining secondary
information about the current subject which will provide appropriate solution for making
meaningful conclusion for the present study. These sources include, websites of Thai and UK
universities, books, journals, articles, blogs and news (Ziderman, 2015). The author will include
different theories for analysing the current subject and determining research gap for the present
study.
1. Background of higher education
Global perspective on higher education
Knight has concluded that “Globalisation is one of the powerful factor which has direct
impact on postsecondary education” (Knight, 2015). There are a number of global trends that
have direct influence on higher education, mass enrollments, mass higher education system
around the world. These include the use of digital technologies in classroom, skilled and
experienced professors, students from different nations and international jobs. Major countries
such as India, China, Russia Brazil and Thailand are facing some challenges with respect to
higher education. Raffe and Croxford have concluded that economic growth and tertiary
education has strong relationship with each other (Raffe and Croxford, 2015). There are specific
measures which have reflected that higher education is increasing in developed countries as
compare to developing nations. These include that that knowledge based employment is higher
in developed nation. Including this, number of white collar and high skilled employees is
increasing more rapidly (Global Flow of Tertiary-Level Students, 2016). The global trend of
higher education is in a very high demand in developed countries, as compare to developing
nations which, in turn, attract students of growing countries towards the higher education system
of developed nation.
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Lao has concluded that “United states are generating largest revenue, approximately
$10billion in the year of 2000 from the export of education services” (Lao, 2015). Most of the
students around the world would like to be educated in United States of America. To further
explain, developed countries, such as the Unites States, are providing effective means of higher
education to students by providing them practical exposure and well defined infrastructure for
creating international competitions for other countries.However, these educational services are
very costlybecause it requires significant budget to maintain a good image and quality in
education industry; as a result, the total cost of education services or tuition fee will be increased.
Figure 1: Shares of the world’s internationally mobile students, 2013
(Source: International Higher Education in Facts and Figures, 2016)
There are top ten countries which are considered as destination countries for mobile
students of under developed nations (Sivarnee, 2013). These are United States (19.4% of total
mobile students), United Kingdom (10.3%), Australia (6.2%), France (5.7%), Germany (4.9%),
Russian Federation (3.4%), Japan (3.4%), Canada (3.4%), China (2.4%) and Italy (2.4%). There
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are a number of countries which are considered as origin of mobile students at where more
students studying abroad more than their home countries. These include China (712,157 students
studying abroad), India (181,872), Germany (119,123), Republic of Korea (116,942), France
(84,059), Saudi Arabia (73,548), United States (60,292), Malaysia (56,260), Viet Nam (53,546)
and Nigeria (52,066) (Bertrand and et.al, 2009). Thailand is one of the Southeast Asian countries
facing issues in providing best services to students who are required higher education. Therefore,
Thai students also move towards the other nations.
Coulter and Roggeveen have concluded that “There are a number of factors and attributes
which influence the global education system” (Coulter and Roggeveen, 2012). As per this
statement, these attributes include international economic competition, recession, endowment
funds, high demand of higher education, lack of capacity of public sector to improve the higher
education system, adaptability and flexibility universities, etc (Cheong and Morrison, 2008).
Comparison between Higher education in Thailand and UK
Critically analysing the major reasons behind the movement of Thai students to the UK
for getting higher education. In order to understand research issue in effective manner, the author
needs to make comparison between education systems of both countries. A Review of literature
has helped in completing this comparative study. Douglas et.al, 2015 has concluded that
“Education system of Thailand is one of the worst systems in Southeast Asia because of poor
educational facilities for students”. As per this statement, Thai students cannot get better quality
of higher education because its education system is not appropriate and also is associated with
the number of drawbacks. Plagued by inadequate financial resources is one of the major
limitation which compromise the quality of the education facilities in Thailand. Along with this,
huge class size, lack of skills and experience of teachers, lazy students and inappropriate system
also forcesteachers to pass students even they actually fail (Lao, 2015). These are the major
problems of the higher educational system of Thailand (Bashar, Ahmad and Wasiq, 2013).
Furthermore, Thai universities don’t provide appropriate placement opportunities, campus
facilities, training and other sports activities which help in students’development. All of these
limitations reduce the attraction level of Thai students towards the higher education in Thai
universities; instead, it draws Thai students’ attention towards foreign universities (Education in
Thailand, 2016).
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2. Theory
Motivation of study aboard
Hazelkorn has asserted that “there are number of reasons and factors which motivates
students to move towards the foreign countries for getting higher education” (Hazelkorn, 2015).
As per this statement, motivational factors influence increase the mobility of students from one
nation to another for the study purpose. Hayden and Thiephave stated that “Study at a university
with a strong international reputation is the major motivation for foreign students in prospect of
higher education” (Hayden and Thiep, 2015). This means there are a number of universities
which are respected worldwide and have strong reputation in education industry; therefore,
students would like to take part in these universities. So, motivational factor can be considered as
major factor. On the other hand, Altbachhas concluded that “Some student wants experience
their life in a different culture” (Altbach, 2015). This statement reflects that most students wants
to improve their skills by living in different culture and many of the employers provides high
value to international and intercultural skills. Hoever, Birnbaum has disclosed that “there are a
number of countries which charge high tuition fees for higher education, so it is one of the
negative factors which may influence students to move towards those universities which are
providing benefits by scholarships and low tuition fees” (Birnbaum, 2015). Therefore, some
students from developing nation attracted by education system of developed nation take
advantages of scholarship and low tuition fees from higher education in developed countries. In
addition,Baccarani and Brunettihas stated that “proficiency in language skills and international
professional networks are also included in the motivational factors to study in abroad”
(Baccarani and Brunetti, 2015). Therefore, literature review has reflected that thre is a number of
factors influencingstudents to get study to abroad. These factors are studying at the most
reputation international university, increasing knowledge of different culture, benefits from
scholarship and tuition fees, improvement in language skills and building international
professional network.
Consumer behaviour
Hollensenhas concluded that “Consumer behaviour can be defined as an approach which
helps in determining the way by which individuals buy and use particular merchandise and
services” (Hollensen, 2015). Therefore, customer behaviour analysis will help in analysing the
needs and requirements, taste, choice and preferences of students. As per the current study, major
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objective of the research is analysing the behaviour of students at the time of selecting
universities for higher education. Regarding this, the author has decided to use economic model
which plays important role in analysing customer bahaviour. Economic model is based on some
basic assumption such as allocation of customer’s fund is based on purchasing power and needs
and requirements (Tilak, 2015). On the basis of the price of the products and services, customers
decide their priorities. Therefore, as per this model economic condition of students may help in
analysing their bahaviour in effective manner. Alvesson and Benner have concluded that price,
substitute and income are the major base of this model (Alvesson and Benner, 2016). As per this
statement, price effect has direct impact on bahaviour of students at the time of selection of
foreign universities. High prices reduce the level of attraction of students. Nevertheless, at
present all students have several options for higher education, so these substitutes may reduce the
interest of students towards a particular university. Therefore, substitution effect may also
influence consumerbahaviour. Along with this, level of income is one of the major factors which
may affect the purchase decisions of students. Overall, economic model plays important role in
analysing the bahaviour of Thai students at the time of selecting foreign universities for their
higher education (Ford, 2015).
Buyer decision
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