AN INVESTIGATION INTO FOREIGN STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF COURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA: A CASE STUDY OF SHARDA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The study investigated foreign students’ choice of courses in higher education in India at Sharda University. A sample of 30 students was selected randomly. A self-developed questionnaire with 14 items was used as a data collection instrument. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis which included the use of tables, frequency, cumulative frequency, percentages, and pie charts. The results of the present study indicated that the majority of the foreign students are pursuing their bachelor's degree and they belong to the science stream. It was also found that the choice of courses among foreign students of Sharda University is based on their personal interests. It was revealed that there is a relationship between students’ choice of courses and their socioeconomic background, and also gender does have influenced on their choice of courses. It was recommended among others that guidance and counseling services should be provided to the students, parents should not force students into courses they do not want to major in, and institutions of higher education should allow students to choose courses according to their interests.