Investigating the perception of third level graduated foreign students towards the marketing courses offered by colleges in Dublin

Abstract

Recently, Ireland has become an educational hub for international students. It being the English spoken country in EU, with its attractive fees, world renowned colleges and International Courses students across the world are choosing Ireland for their postgraduation. According to a report generated by HEA (Higher Education Authority), there were 6313 graduates from business and management courses in the year 2017-18, out of which 739 were from the marketing stream. In 2017-18 Academic years 44,124 foreign students enrolled in colleges of Ireland out of which 23,819 enrolled in third level courses (HEA, 2018). With increasing international students and postgraduate enrolments, are the students achieving their career goals and aspirations? With increasing housing crisis and pricing in Dublin, are the international students being fair with their studies? This research aims to find the perception amongst graduated students about the marketing courses they had opted and has it been helpful in making their careers or what could have been done to achieve their goals? Purpose: Purpose of this study is to find out whether the courses opted by foreign students has helped them achieve their desired careers and how helpful was the government and colleges in doing that. Design/approach/methodology: This research is based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis. 3 graduated students were interviewed to record their perception about marketing courses in Dublin and what were their expectations and how it turned out. 71 international graduated students were surveyed to find their perception about the course and complications post completion. Limitations and Implications: Research is limited to Graduated international students who are either seeking a job or are working in Ireland. Practical Implications: This research would help the Irish Higher Education Authorities to strategies courses and designs course structures in coming years to accommodate more international students and retain them for long, to increase their labour force. At the same time, it would help the colleges to strategies in the foreign market to attract and accommodate more international students.