Understanding students' college enrollment decisions is critical because the admission outcome can affect the school's quality and its reputation. In this paper, we study how students consider their relative academic ability compared to their potential peers. Drawing from social comparison theory, we posit that there are asymmetric effects due to…

Despite an increasingly competitive academic market, more and more people are seeking a PhD degree. While significant research focuses on skill attainment during PhD candidature and at PhD exit, we know little about the skills that might be present at PhD entry. We developed a data-driven taxonomy and conducted logistic regressions to analyse…

In the context of a political imperative to reorganise the Portuguese higher education system, a deep knowledge of student choice decision-making processes when applying to higher education is needed. Following a 'combined model' of student choice, which emphasises economic and social factors, this paper aims to answer two main related questions:…

This paper investigates the dynamics of student enrolment in the Syrian private higher education sector. The paper adopts a system dynamics approach, to construct suitable simulation models that could be used to examine the complex and dynamic interactions between student flows, staff ratios and investments in plant and facilities. The study…

As of September 2012, the undergraduate tuition fee cap at English universities was raised from £3375 to £9000 per annum. This article explores the rationales underpinning prospective students' decision whether or not to apply to higher education following the fee increase, specifically, how this decision is influenced by perceptions of…

This paper reports on research into the ways that schools engage in university application processes. Questionnaire and interview data were collected from 1400 Year 13 students from 18 independent and state schools in England and 15 in-depth interviews were carried out with school teacher higher education (HE) advisors. The analysis compares…

This paper maps the main dimensions of differentiation among institutions and "faculties" (subject areas within institutions) of higher education in the United Kingdom. It does so through a principal components analysis based on the characteristics of applicants and entrants. A single status dimension accounts for a quarter of the…

Previous research has found that the images of universities formed by prospective students greatly influence their choices. With the advent of international branch campuses in several higher education hubs worldwide, many international students now attempt to construct images of these institutions when deciding where to study. The aim of this…

A study of 'unqualified' mature applicants to the University of Sheffield is described. Successful 'unqualified' applicants in the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester are compared. Subjects selected, rates of precourse withdrawal, dropout, final degree results, and problems encountered by the mature students are discussed.…

A study by the joint matriculation board of five British universities is reported concerning the characteristics of adult students applying to the institutions through a special program for applicants not having traditional qualifications and the achievement and perceptions of those who entered. (MSE)

It was learned through a special nontraditional adult student matriculation program in five British cities that only about half of the adult students' inquiries are followed up. Lack of confidence, financial problems, and personal circumstances deterred some, while others chose institutions and courses with simpler entry requirements. (MSE)

Changes in the demand for entry to university education by mature students in the period 1974-80 are examined in terms of numbers of applications, subject choice, and chance of success in application. It concludes that mature applicants have not been as successful in obtaining university places as have conventional students. (Author/MLW)

Two studies of about 12,000 applicants to United Kingdom schools show that ethnic origin of surnames is reliably assessable by independent judges, and that surnames are valid indicators of ethnic origin as determined by self-classification, showing very high specificity (97 percent) and slightly lesser sensitivity (84 percent). (Author/MLW)

Statistical analysis was conducted of offerings by universities in England and Wales to students admitted conditional to achievement of specific grades on A-level examinations. Disciplines included in analysis were electrical engineering, English, mathematics, sociology. Admissions conditional on future achievement were examined for differences…