Why Mainland? Decoding the Motivational Shifts in Hong Kong Secondary 6 Students’ University Choices

Abstract

The mobility landscape of Hong Kong Secondary 6 (S6) students pursuing tertiary education outside Hong Kong has evolved, as revealed in the 2022 Secondary 6 (S6) Students’ Pathway Survey conducted by the Hong Kong Education Bureau. In the academic year 2022-2023, up to 39.0% of Hong Kong Secondary 6 (S6) students opted to pursue tertiary education in mainland China. This study decodes the factors influencing Hong Kong Secondary 6 students’ university choices through mixed research methodology based on the theoretical framework of the push-pull model. Although previous studies have examined this mobility trend from a macro perspective (e.g., geopolitical factors), few have explored the shifts in students’ individual perceptions and motivations. To bridge the research gap, this study aims to explore in depth individual students’ perspectives. The significance of this study lies in enhancing the appeal of Mainland universities among student mobility patterns, as well as aggregating a cadre of talents within the political framework of “One Country, Two Systems” to nurture regional socioeconomic development. Moreover, this study substantially contributes to mapping out innovative talent retention strategies and promoting the development of regional educational dynamics through its broader implications.

Document Type: Original article

Cited as:

Wang, Y. (2025). Why mainland? Decoding the motivational shifts in Hong Kong Secondary 6 students’ university choices. Education and Lifelong Development Research, 3(1), 90-102. https://doi.org/10.46690/elder.2025.03.01

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