Quality Dimensions in International Tertiary Education: A Thai Prospective Students' Perspective

Abstract

This study evaluates and extends research on the quality dimensions that drive students' choice of international tertiary education providers. Based on an extensive review of both the generic services and education quality literature, a series of in-depth interviews generated many further quality criteria. These were tested on a sample of Thai prospective students who intended to study overseas and showed good nomological validity and internal reliability. The authors are confident that the six dimensions developed here are worthy of undergoing replication and further study. The dimensions are: academic and supporting facilities, academic staff performances, environmental conditions, entry requirements, academic reputation of a country, and academic reputation of domestic institutions.

• international education
• quality dimensions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natthawut Srikatanyoo

Natthawut Srikatanyoo is a deputy director in the graduate school at Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand. Srikatanyoo has completed his doctorate at the University of Otago, New Zealand, in the field of international education marketing. He is now in charge of the Master of Marketing Communication program, which is jointly offered by Dhurakijpundit University and University of Canberra, Australia. He has published in the Journal of Brand Management, and presented a number of papers at international conferences including the European Marketing Academy Conference (EMAC) and Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy Conference (ANZMAC). His research interests include international marketing, services marketing, branding, and marketing strategy. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

Juergen Gnoth

Juergen Gnoth is a senior lecturer in the Department of Marketing at University of Otago, New Zealand. His interests are in the areas of consumer behavior, tourism services marketing, and marketing ethics. Gnoth is a leading member of the Tourism Research Group and is involved in researching the constructs of intentions, expectations, image, and satisfaction of international tourists.