Summary:

This thesis aimed to explore the push and pull factors of tuition paying graduate students in Norway. The study placed a significant emphasis on describing and comparing the shift in perception pre and post tuition introduction due to the commercialization of HEIs and the impact that had on the incoming students expectations.
The data was gathered through a qualitative research method, i.e. semistructured interviews. 13 participants from 6 countries enrolled in the University of Stavanger were interviewed. The audio was then transcribed, coded and analyzed using content analysis.
The study highlights push factors from students' home countries, such as the desire to emigrate for better opportunities, particularly in terms of quality education and financial mobility, emerged as significant themes, influenced by word of mouth and familial input. For host country pull factors the influence of family and friends, along with existing support networks in Norway, played a major role, supplemented by job prospects, and academic offerings, while cheaper tuition, program specifics, and location of the institution played a role in choosing the host institution. However, based on post arrival experiences, the study suggests a gap in understanding between the communication requirements of tuition-paying students and the communication methods employed by the university, leading to a negative perception of studying in Norway among tuition-paying students. Given the importance of word-of-mouth communications in influencing students' decisions, addressing this is crucial for future recruitment efforts.
This study contributes to the literature of this field by compiling and dissecting primary data of the first batch of post tuition introduction international students in Stavanger, Norway. While recognizing its limitations, the study offers valuable insights that could inform strategies for recruiting paying international students more effectively in Norway.