Analysis of Factors Influencing Enrollment Rate of Students in Postgraduate Programmes in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

This study analyzed factors influencing enrollment rate of students in postgraduate programmes in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four research questions while four hypotheses were tested. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population consisted of 8,254 students undertaking postgraduate programmes across all the faculties and centers in Ambrose Alli University. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 300 students and a questionnaire titled Factors Influencing Post Graduate Enrolment Questionnaire (FIPGEQ) was used to gather data for the study. The instrument was validated by experts in Educational Planning in the Department of Educational Foundations and Management, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the test-retest reliability technique was adopted. The data obtained were analyzed using the Chi-Square statistical tool. The study revealed that the encouragement students get from their parents, their desire to acquire more knowledge and become experts in their various fields and the high rate of unemployment in the country are the main driving forces of students’ high rate of enrolment in Ambrose Alli University Postgraduate Programmes. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, parents should desist from the habit of influencing their children’s interest in postgraduate programmes as such parents are forcing their wards to accomplish their failed dreams.