Motivational Factors for Studying in Regional Institutions of Higher Education in South-Western Region of Lithuania

Abstract

The paper discusses the results of the research study on the later life choices of young people leaving gymnasium and the motivational factors for studying at regional higher education institutions. The study explores what young people studying in the III–IV years of gymnasium in the South­western region of Lithuania see as their immediate life perspectives: to what extent they associate themselves with Lithuania or other countries, their choice of studies, work or other activities. The research explores the factors that de­termine the choice of study location and study programme, especially in regional higher education institutions. The results of the study revealed that the choice of a study insti­tution is influenced by the quality and cost of the study process, the learning conditions (aspect of quality), the living conditions and the cost of living during the study period (financial aspect), and the feedback about the institution (image aspect). In the case of the selection of a study programme, the main motives are the possibility of study­ing the desired specialisation, the good reputation of the educational institution and good learning conditions. The personal grade point average also has an influence on the choice of study programme.