APT Strategies placed a hyptertext link to the online survey (located at http://www.aptstrategies.com.au/survey/survey8.htm) on Link Union, which displays advertisements across 400 websites throughout the Asia/Pacific region. To avoid unsolicited responses, banner advertisements were only placed on these websites represented by Link Union so that respondents had immediately seen an advertisement before completing the survey.
The survey has been designed with most questions formatted with drop down boxes, allowing respondents to quickly and easily answer in approximately 5-7 minutes. Viewers were encouraged to respond, with the opportunity to win a US$500 cash prize.
The following summarises the key elements from each question.
Over four fifths of respondents (83 per cent) said that they were planning on studying at an university or with an advanced vocational and training provider in a country outside of where they permanently lived. When broken down by country, the results were very similar. 79 per cent of respondents from Hong Kong, 77 per cent of respondents from Taiwan and 74 per cent of respondents from other countries wanted to study overseas.
The most popular way of obtaining advice about overseas study was speaking to friends or relatives (58 per cent). This was followed by contacting students who have studied previously overseas (48 per cent). Formal agencies/institutions were the third preference, with education agents (37 per cent) coming before parents (30 per cent). Embassies and consulates were the least popular way of obtaining information about studying overseas (18 per cent).
Australia was the overwhelming choice (85 per cent) of overseas study destination amongst respondents. This was followed by the USA (58 per cent). Canada was the preferred destination for 42 per cent of respondents, followed by Great Britain (20 per cent) and New Zealand (15 per cent). Japan was the least popular choice with 7 per cent of respondents selecting it as a preferred study destination.
Quality of education was the priority for half of the respondents (50 per cent) followed by financial issues. Fees less expensive was the criteria selected by 40 per cent of respondents and lower cost of living by over one third of respondents (36 per cent). Other factors were selected by just under one quarter of respondents (24 per cent). The influence of parents/relations and of education agents was equal at 18 per cent.
44 per cent of respondents selected New South Wales (Sydney) as their preferred study destination. Just over one quarter of respondents (26 per cent) selected South Australia (Adelaide). This was followed by Victoria (Melbourne), selected by 18 per cent of respondents. The least preferred study destinations amongst the respondents were Queensland (Brisbane) with 8 per cent, and Western Australia (Perth), selected by 5 per cent of respondents.
A key factor influencing the choice of a study destination amongst respondents was a safe environment, perceived as very important by almost three quarters of the respondents (73 per cent). This was followed by extensive entertainment/recreation facilities, which were seen as very important by half (50 per cent) of the respondents.
Reinforcing the importance of the quality of education (highlighted as a key reason for choosing Australia as a study destination), the quality of the teaching was seen as very important by 45 per cent of respondents. Financial reasons were also highlighted as a key reason for choosing Australia as a study destination, and these too were highlighted in this question, with 41 per cent of respondents noting the cost of tuition fees was very important to them.
An equal amount of respondents (65 per cent) agreed with the statements: I want to study in Australia because it is important to the future of the Asia/Pacific economy and I want to study in Australia because I would like to live there one day. 63 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: I want to study in Australia because it is a clean and healthy country. Over half the respondents agreed with the statement: I want to study in Australia because I would like to work there.
Respondents predominantly supported themselves financially, with over two thirds (68 per cent) reporting that they were self funded. 44 per cent of respondents received aid/scholarship, while 42 per cent said their main source of financial support was their parents.
The answers were varied, with a wide number of different websites selected, both local and international. They included:
http://www.chinese.yahoo.com
http://www.appledaily.com.hk/
http://www.china.com/
http://www.chinabyte.com/
http://www.chinatimes.com.tw/
http://www.collegenet.com/
http://www.kimo.com.tw/
http://www.sohoo.com.cn/
http://www.online.sh.cn/
Reflecting the high use of the World Wide Web as a source of overseas study information, almost three quarters of respondents (73 per cent) said they used the Internet to look for an overseas course to study.
59 per cent of respondents said they would take further action by making an enquiry via email to a university about studying. 43 per cent of respondents would register name and details of what course you are interested in studying using the Internet. Far fewer respondents (14 per cent) would pay for a course at a university through their website.
Reflecting the high proportion of respondents (85 per cent) who chose Australia as their preferred study destination, comments on Australia included:'I want to study in Australia because of its high education quality and nice environment. I love that country."
Comments about the United States included the quality of the education and the perception of the United States as a world technology leader: "[I want to study in] the United States. It is a free and multi-cultur[al] country with high-quality education system." And "The United States.. symbol[ises] science and liberty."
Australia is perceived as a safe, healthy environment in which to study: "Australia is a clean, healthy and safe country." Tuition fees are perceived to be lower than in other countries respondents may have considered studying in: "Australia is a beautiful country. Tuition fees are less expensive than other countries such as England or America" Australia is perceived as providing good education and high living standards whilst at the same time being part of the Asian/Pacific community: "Australia is part of Asia-Pacific community, with high quality education and [high] living standards."