University of Twente Student Theses

How determined are secondary education students about their higher education choice? An analysis of the study choice of Dutch VWO students based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Wamelen, Christian van (2012) How determined are secondary education students about their higher education choice? An analysis of the study choice of Dutch VWO students based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

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Abstract:	Introduction thesis This master thesis is focused on the study choice certainty of VWO 6 students in the Dutch educational system. The main research question in this research is: How certain are VWO students in making their study choice and which factors determine their choice? The theory of planned behaviour directed the research project. This theory indicates three main variables that explain behaviour: attitude, social environment and perceived behav-ioural control. These independent variables are supposed to influence study choice certain-ty. To gather the empirical data a written questionnaire has been designed, which has been completed by 367 secondary school students in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Results It appears that most of the VWO 6 students know what kind of study they want to pursue and at which educational institution. 34% of the respondents have some doubts about where they want to pursue a study program and / or what kind of study. Another interesting outcome in this study is that VWO6 students that want to pursue a WO study program have significant more doubt about their study choice then VWO6 students that want to pursue a HBO study program in the coming study year. The motives interest, pleasure and the chance to get a nice job are the main attitude issues that play an important role when it comes to pursue a certain study program. In the student’s social environment, parents have most in-fluence on the student when it comes to the a study choice. The group that might be expect to play an important role in the study choice process of students such as teachers, deans, study advisors and mentors have no major influence on the study choice. Another interest-ing outcome is that VWO6 students that perceive more obstacles limiting their study choice are less likely to be certain about their study choice.
Item Type:	Essay (Master)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:	Business Administration MSc (60644)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/61926
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