An analysis of the gender differences in choices of tertiary studies

University education has in recent years been expanded rapidly especially with the addition of Nanyang Technological University and the proposed open university. The Singapore government realised the role universities have in sustaining economic growth by diverting resources to education because they regarded it as long term investment in human resources without which the modernisation and economic development of the country could not be successfully carried out. The government has a philosophy of maximising tertiary education opportunities to enhance the economic returns of human resources. This being one of the few resources Singapore has due to the successful population control policy. Thus the pattern of intake into the universities is but one of the concerns in the maintenance of high standards in the expansion of tertiary education. The choice of a course of study by a student is not by chance rather it is due to an array of factors that are at work. This study attempts to investigate and explore the reasons behind the various choice of course of students. The purpose of the study is two fold: first, it is aimed at understanding the general factors influencing the students in their selection of choice; second, it attempts to examine the differences, if any, between male and female students oftheir choice. Are there any significant relationship between specified demographics variables and the choices of tertiary studies between females and males? Are there any differences between the males and females in their attitudes towards the course attributes? Finally, are there any significant differences between males and females in their attitudes towards the various university attributes? These three questions form the basis of our hypotheses upon which we will discuss and conclude our findings.ACCOUNTANC