Choosing Hong Kong for postgraduate studies: A systematic analysis of the key determinants influencing intra-Asia mobility among mainland Chinese students

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of mainland Chinese students pursuing advanced education abroad, with Hong Kong being a popular destination. Previous studies on this issue have tended to be narrow in scope or focused on a relatively short period. To overcome these shortcomings, a longitudinal perspective is adopted in this work to identify the major factors motivating mainland Chinese students to pursue postgraduate studies in Hong Kong. To achieve this objective, a systematic review of pertinent literature was performed based on the developmental ecological model. Taylor & Francis, Scopus, and ProQuest Research Library electronic databases were searched,
focusing on literature sources exploring the motivations and concerns of mainland Chinese students pursuing advanced education in Hong Kong. Thematic analysis of 16 studies published between 2000 and 2023 that met the predetermined inclusion criteria revealed a wide range of factors across micro, meso, exo, macro, and chronosystems, as well astheir evolution over the two decades, reflecting changing dynamics in both source and host contexts. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions seeking to better understand and support the postgraduate mobility patterns of
this student segment.