A Stepping Stone to International Education: Chinese Students’ Motivations for Enrolling in Transnational Programmes and Dependent Institutions in Higher Education

Pursuing transnational higher education (TNHE) has been a trend worldwide. A growing number of Chinese universities offer TNHE through transnational programmes (TPs) and dependent institutions (DIs), which far outnumber international branch campuses (IBCs). While previous studies have explored the reasons for choosing IBCs, few have focused on TPs or DIs. We integrated the push−pull model and the theory of planned behaviour to examine 43 Chinese students’ motivations for enrolling in TPs and DIs in a qualitative study. The findings reveal a unique combination of lower admission requirements and adequate financial ability as key drivers that distinguish these students from those enrolling in IBCs. We highlight 13 essential factors, including influences from social environments, English proficiency, and adaptability, which have not been extensively discussed before. The goal is to continue promoting mobility in TPs and DIs, whereas local universities may need to reflect on their curriculum design to remain attractive.