Why and How Do Hong Kong Students Pursue a PhD: A Social Class Analysis

• In Event: Crossing Borders: Challenges and Opportunities in International Graduate Education

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the influence of social class on why Hong Kong students pursue a PhD and how they socialize into the academic community during their studies using a theoretical framework based on Bourdieu’s (1977, 1984, 1986) model of class structure and Weidman et al.’s (2001) framework for the socialization of graduate students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty doctoral students in humanities and social sciences in Hong Kong. Findings suggest that while the influence of social class on Hong Kong humanities and social sciences students’ reasons for pursuit of a PhD appears limited, their socialization processes are largely influenced by their social capital. Universities are suggested to assist PhD students in accumulating social capital in academia.

Author

• Chi Wui Ng, The University of Hong Kong