Student Motivation Literature Review

The influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on international student academic performance in Glasgow

Introduction

The number of students who choose the United Kingdom as the destination to fulfill their tertiary education witnessed a considerable increase over the last decade, from 319.000 in 2003 to 425,265 in 2013 (UK Council for International Student Affairs, 2014). Making clear the factor of what influence the international students choosing study abroad not only help the students acquire a high-level education, but also promote the education development in host institutions and host destinations (Jones et al, 2006: 32). Ayub (2010:363) and Remaili et al (2013: 1038) indicated that learning motivation as a significant influencing factor which takes an important contributor to the student in their academic study and achievement. Therefore, for the international students’ higher education, it is extremely important to understand what really impact their learning motivation. The purpose of this literature review will analyze the intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation that influence the student academic performance. Much of the previous studies mainly focused on the factor which affects native student on academic learning in their own country, few previous study has related to the relationship between international student motivation and academic performance. This literature review will be analysed from two aspects which divide motivation into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as two important factors to influence student academic performance.

Intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation plays a significant role in competency, achievement and academic learning. According to the research of Blyth (1987: 684) and Ayub (2010: 364), intrinsic motivation is driven by one’s internal interest and enjoyment, it is an individual choice and not relying on any external pressure. Previous research divided intrinsic motivation into three constructs: to...