From Intention to Admission: How Benefits, Social Influences, and Perceived Control Shape Malaysian SPM Leavers’ Intentions to Pursue Tertiary Education

Abstract

As part of Malaysia’s national agenda to strengthen its knowledge-based economy, multiple pathways have been established for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) [Malaysian Certificate of Education] leavers to pursue tertiary education. Nevertheless, tertiary enrolment rates remain relatively low, potentially undermining national human capital development objectives. Guided by an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework, this study examined the factors associated with SPM leavers’ intention to pursue tertiary education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 385 respondents using a 44-item questionnaire comprising eight predictor constructs and an intention measure. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that financial support (β = 0.313, p < 0.001), peer influence (β = 0.270, p < 0.001), academic preparedness (β = 0.246, p < 0.001), perceived benefits (β = 0.137, p = 0.005), and social media influence (β = 0.094, p = 0.037) were positively associated with intention. In contrast, social stigma was negatively associated with intention (β = -0.188, p < 0.001), whereas family influence and lack of knowledge regarding admission processes did not make statistically significant independent contributions. These findings indicate that, within the sampled SPM leavers, financial support, peer influence, academic preparedness, perceived benefits, and social media influence were independently associated with stronger intentions to pursue tertiary education, whereas social stigma was associated with weaker intentions.