First-year student: why he enrolled, how he chose, and what “attracted” him to us? (on the example of the faculty of philosophy and sociology of PSU)

http://dx.doi.org/10.17072/2949‐5601-2026-2-9-24

Abstract

The article examines the problems of motivation for obtaining higher education among first‑year students at a regional university. The relevance of this topic stems from the need for universities to compete for applicants with other cities and institutions. The paper focuses on the hierarchy of priorities when choosing a place of study: what is the main factor for an applicant – the city, the university, the faculty, or the educational program – and how this choice is related to the applicant’s gender and the type of locality they come from. The empirical basis of the study consists of survey results from full‑time first‑year students (bachelor’s and specialist programs) of the Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology of PSU, conducted in 2022–2025. The findings show that the most typical student is a female from Perm who is oriented toward the educational program. Personal development motives and pragmatic reasons are key to pursuing higher education. The hierarchy of applicants’ enrollment priorities is not reducible to a single factor but is built on multiple levels, thus forming a “nesting doll of priorities.” The two poles of this “nesting doll” – the city and the educational program – have the strongest attraction. Based on the data obtained, practical recommendations for attracting applicants are proposed: promoting programs (rather than the faculty), developing social media as an “entry point” into faculty life, organizing outreach events in small towns with the participation of fellow students from those towns, and focusing on the needs of students from large cities when creating a supportive environment.