EXPLORING THE MOTIVATION OF KAZAKHSTANI GRADUATE STUDENTS TO PURSUE A MASTER’S DEGREE IN ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the motivations of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) students to pursue postgraduate education at a state university in Kazakhstan. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study employed semi-structured interviews with seven graduate students and applied both individual experiential and thematic analysis to understand their internal and external motives. Given the unique challenges that AHSS students face in their career pathways, this study explored the essence of navigating labor market demands and personal interests. Findings showed that AHSS students experience a range of motivations from a lack of motivation to strong internal drive. Lack of motivation may result from challenges, such as credential inflation, rigid program structures, and the need to balance work and study. While external motives such as scholarships and job prospects play a role, many students are also driven by internal motives, such as intellectual curiosity, personal interest, and a sense of belonging to their field. This study highlighted the importance of creating more student-centered learning environments and aligning educational programs with both personal and professional goals to better support AHSS students’ motivation and engagement.