Student choice and student experience: the views of selected New Zealand tertiary students

In 2008, over 500,000 students were enrolled in New Zealand's tertiary education system. In order to improve tertiary education and provide for the needs of students, it is important to understand student attitudes and concerns regarding their tertiary education experiences. In an effort to gain greater knowledge of the tertiary sector from the student perspective, a series of focus group interviews were conducted with tertiary students from around the country. Participants were asked a number of questions regarding their experiences and their decision making processes. The key objectives of this project were: (1) to identify student choice and decision-making processes in tertiary education; (2) to reflect some student attitudes toward their current and past tertiary education experiences; and (3) to identify issues and concerns that may affect progress and successful completion within the tertiary education system.

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