Factors influencing international students' choice of educational destination

A systematic review through the socioecological model lens

Authors

  • Marziye Hemati Allameh Tabatabai university, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6116-1391
  • Hamid Pourasghari Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Zahra Meshkani Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Mohadeseh Motamed-Jahromi Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/ccv5sm82

Keywords:

International student, Decision making, Educational destination, Socioecological Model , Systematic review

Abstract

International student recruitment is a key trend in global higher education and has consistently been a major focus for universities worldwide. This study aims to identify the factors influencing decision-making for educational destinations through a socio-ecological approach, offering policymakers actionable insights to effectively attract international students. It was a systematic review. English-language articles published between 2019 and 2024 were selected from five databases. A total of 29 articles were included. Thematic analysis revealed ten themes influencing international student decision-making, categorized into individual, interpersonal, organizational, sociocultural, and public policy factors, in alignment with the levels of the socio-ecological model. 

Author Biographies

  • Marziye Hemati, Allameh Tabatabai university, Iran

    Marziye Hemati holds an MA in Tourism Management from Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran. Her research interests include health tourism, tourism management, and healthcare quality improvement.

  • Hamid Pourasghari, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

    Hamid Pourasghari is an Assistant Professor at the School of Management and Medical Informatics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. He holds a Ph.D in Health Policy.  He completed the academic degrees of Medical Doctor (MD) and Master of Public Health. His research interests focus on evidence-based policy making, payment system design, future studies, and economic evaluation of health services.

  • Zahra Meshkani, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

    Zahra Meshkani holds a PhD in Health Economics from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Her research interests include costing of health care services, economic evaluation, decision making and patient preferences.

  • Mohadeseh Motamed-Jahromi, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Iran

    Mohadeseh Motamed-Jahromi is an Assistant Professor of Health Promotion in the Department of Public Health, School of Health, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Her research interests include health promotion, ethics in health, gerontology, social determinants of health, and environmental health

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2026-02-10

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Vol. 16 No. 4 (2026): Journal of International Students

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How to Cite

Hemati, M. ., Pourasghari, H. ., Meshkani, Z., & Motamed-Jahromi, M. . (2026). Factors influencing international students’ choice of educational destination: A systematic review through the socioecological model lens. Journal of International Students, 16(4), 33-54. https://doi.org/10.32674/ccv5sm82