Understanding Female Students’ Choice of a Construction Management Undergraduate Degree Program: Case Study at an Australian University

Abstract

The considerably low female student enrollments in construction management (CM) undergraduate degree programs have continued to draw attention from academia. With a cohort of local and international female students in a CM program in an Australian university, this case study examined the students’ CM degree choice decision, their learning experience, the strategies for attracting more female students to CM programs, and recommendations were made for CM program recruitment efforts based on the findings. The interview results show that, for both local and international student groups, their personal interest in construction and career opportunities were the most important factors that influenced their CM degree choice decision. For the international student group, however, there were additional influencing factors including immigration opportunities after graduation, financial considerations, program entry requirements, and program duration. Although the international students would like to have support in finding internships, both student groups generally had positive learning experiences in their studies. Both student groups identified the need to advertise more about CM programs as a part of recruitment strategies. It is recommended that information and resources about CM programs be made readily accessible to current and future CM students, high school counselors, and education service providers in a timely manner via social media platforms and the Internet.