Internationalization of the university; identifying factors related to university selection by international students; Subject of study: University of Tehran

Authors
Komeil Araghi Fard 1
Fatemeh Narenjithani 2
Datis Khajeian 3
1 Master's student in Higher Education Management and Planning, Faculty of Psychology. Educational Sciences, University of Tehran
2 Faculty of Psychology and Education, Tehran University
3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran
10.61838/KMAN.IRPHE.31.2.6
Abstract
This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the factors related to university selection by international students of Tehran University. The current research was carried out in the framework of qualitative approach and phenomenological method. The participants in the research included international students of Tehran University, who were interviewed with 12 people using the purposeful sampling method and based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Validity of qualitative data using Lincoln and Guba's (1985) four judgment criteria including; Validity or believability, transferability/transferability, confirmability or neutrality and reliability or consistency and reliability of qualitative data were confirmed by recoding by the second coder and the coder himself. Data analysis has been done using the seven-step Claizi method. Based on the results of data analysis, 76 concepts, 13 sub-components and 2 main components have been identified. The findings of the research showed that the factors related to university selection by international students fall into two general categories of internal factors including; Individual development, demographic characteristics and social base of the family, feeling of peace in Iran, Iran's ancient history and external factors including; The scientific authority of the University of Tehran at the national and regional level, cultural and social conditions, language-to-language information and advertising, regional security, exchange and sharing of information in the electronic environment, the reputation of the University of Tehran, the ease of commuting for students from neighboring countries, the economic benefits of education. They are divided in relation to other countries and the interactions of countries in political fields and international relations. According to the findings of this research, it can be concluded that: The choice of university by international students is related to a set of internal and external factors, the set of components related to the choice of university is unique for each student, the external factors are more related to the choice of university by international students than the internal factors, the component of social conditions - Culture has been emphasized by students more than other components, and among the concepts, field of study, language and friends have been emphasized more.

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  • Receive Date 02 March 2024
  • Revise Date 02 September 2024
  • Accept Date 16 September 2024
  • Publish Date 22 June 2025