Determinants of Higher Education Choice among Secondary- Level Students in Nepal

Abstract

The subject studied at the secondary level stands as a foundation for program and subject selection in higher education. Factors influencing students' career choices and educational decision-making are important but are less prioritised in the Nepalese education context. This paper analyses the factors influencing students' career choices and higher-education decision-making after grades 11 and 12. The study used a mixed-methods research design.  Seven hundred eighty-eight students from Baglung, Parbat, and Myagdi districts were surveyed, while 14 students participated in a qualitative inquiry. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse survey data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings revealed that employment possibilities and career advancement motivate nearly half of students (45.3%) intended to pursue opportunities abroad. Nearly one-fourth (25.8%) reported following family advice, and the remaining participants reported plans to develop their careers in Nepal, either through higher education or entrepreneurship. Almost half of the respondents (44%) chose the management stream for their future studies, followed by education (23.2%), science (14.2%), and humanities and social sciences (4.1%). Nearly one-third (29.2%) of students got opportunities for career counseling in schools. services within their school environments. Future career prospects were identified as the primary influencing factor (60.8%) in career choice and educational selection. Findings suggest that school education requires integrating counseling services to enhance students' decision-making capabilities in educational selection. Future research should explore students' conceptions of career-choice decision-making and examine their broader implications for educational access and equity.