Information Sources Used To Select A Higher Education Institution: Evidence From South African Students

This paper aims to investigate the information sources used by South African students when selecting a Higher Education Institution and further to establish whether statistical significant differences occur between the perceptions of high and medium performing students from two Universities of Technologies. This paper provides an explanation of students’ decision making process and the utilisation of sources of information when selecting a Higher Education Institution. Three hundred and ninety self-administrated questionnaires were completed and analyzed. The findings indicated that students in South Africa prefer to be informed about Higher Education Institutions by web sites. A high premium is also placed on campus visits and open days followed by high school teachers to obtain information. This implies that although impersonal methods (web site) are the most preferred method, a great premium is placed on personal interaction to obtain information In terms of the perceived performance of the information sources, the same sequence was measured. However significant differences were measured between the expectations of the students and the perceived performance of the information sources which applies that their expectations were not met. Consequently it needs clear planning from the authorities. Some practical implications for Higher Education Institutions, limitations and suggestions for future studies were articulated.