Immigrant background influence on upper secondary school track choices: A qualitative study of immigrant students in Malmö
(2025) UTVK03 20251Sociology
- Abstract (Swedish)
- This thesis examines the influence of a foreign-born background on students’ educational choices in Sweden, focusing on the selection between vocational and university preparatory programmes in upper secondary education (gymnasium). Recognising that personal experiences and social contexts shape such decisions, a qualitative methodology was adopted to explore the underlying motivations and influencing factors that cannot be fully captured through quantitative measures.
Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with four female students of immigrant background and three career counsellors based in Malmö. Students were recruited through personal networks, with the intention of including individuals who had received... (More) - This thesis examines the influence of a foreign-born background on students’ educational choices in Sweden, focusing on the selection between vocational and university preparatory programmes in upper secondary education (gymnasium). Recognising that personal experiences and social contexts shape such decisions, a qualitative methodology was adopted to explore the underlying motivations and influencing factors that cannot be fully captured through quantitative measures.
Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with four female students of immigrant background and three career counsellors based in Malmö. Students were recruited through personal networks, with the intention of including individuals who had received at least part of their education in their country of origin. Interviews were conducted in Swedish, recorded with informed consent, transcribed, and subsequently translated into English. Career counselors were selected following extensive outreach to schools and principals, with final participants representing two highly diverse urban schools and one school on the outskirts of Malmö with a smaller proportion of immigrant-background students.
The study reveals that familial expectations, peer networks, personal aspirations, and institutional structures, including the access of guidance resources, influence educational decisions. Career counsellors highlighted systemic challenges and high workloads during key decision-making periods.
This study contributes to the understanding of how students from immigrant backgrounds navigate educational pathways within the Swedish education system offering insights for educators, policymakers, and career guidance professionals seeking to promote equitable access to information and support in school choice processes. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9212516
- author
- Anwar, Fatema LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- UTVK03 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Immigrant-Background, University-preparatory programme, vocational programme, The Swedish National Agency of Education, preparatory classes
- language
- English
- id
- 9212516
- date added to LUP
- 2025-09-16 14:44:42
- date last changed
- 2025-09-16 14:44:42
@misc{9212516,
abstract = {{This thesis examines the influence of a foreign-born background on students’ educational choices in Sweden, focusing on the selection between vocational and university preparatory programmes in upper secondary education (gymnasium). Recognising that personal experiences and social contexts shape such decisions, a qualitative methodology was adopted to explore the underlying motivations and influencing factors that cannot be fully captured through quantitative measures.
Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with four female students of immigrant background and three career counsellors based in Malmö. Students were recruited through personal networks, with the intention of including individuals who had received at least part of their education in their country of origin. Interviews were conducted in Swedish, recorded with informed consent, transcribed, and subsequently translated into English. Career counselors were selected following extensive outreach to schools and principals, with final participants representing two highly diverse urban schools and one school on the outskirts of Malmö with a smaller proportion of immigrant-background students.
The study reveals that familial expectations, peer networks, personal aspirations, and institutional structures, including the access of guidance resources, influence educational decisions. Career counsellors highlighted systemic challenges and high workloads during key decision-making periods.
This study contributes to the understanding of how students from immigrant backgrounds navigate educational pathways within the Swedish education system offering insights for educators, policymakers, and career guidance professionals seeking to promote equitable access to information and support in school choice processes.}},
author = {{Anwar, Fatema}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Immigrant background influence on upper secondary school track choices: A qualitative study of immigrant students in Malmö}},
year = {{2025}},
}