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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivators for Taiwanese students to study higher education in a western society. The behavioural motivations of Taiwanese students intending to undertake higher education in Australia and the USA were analysed using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Taiwanese students intending to study overseas were surveyed with an instrument based on the theory of planned behaviour. Data from 518 students were subjected to principal components analysis to ascertain factors related to their intention to study overseas.

The TPB was validated as an appropriate model for examining selection of transnational education destinations as a form of consumer behaviour. For Australia, the attitude or perceptions of Taiwanese students towards higher education in the destination country was of greatest importance in shaping their intentions for overseas study. The influence of family and friends was more important than consideration of resources necessary in shaping intentions to study in the USA. These differences provide a basis for considering tailored marketing plans for these countries.

The research demonstrates the usefulness and the insights that can be gained from the application of the model to the marketing of transnational education services. Institutions could adapt and apply this methodology to develop their own marketing plans.

This study explores faculty members’ (FMs’) perceptions of the internationalization of curriculum (IoC) at the undergraduate level through the collection of data from two countries: Pakistan and the UK. The similarities and differences in internationalization strategies were explored. Historical and existing educational ties between the two contexts and an equally emerging focus on internationalization at home (IaH) provided a major cornerstone for this study.

Quantitative data were collected from two universities using a cross-sectional and comparative research design by employing a reliable and valid scale with three subscales: curriculum embedded in labor market information, curriculum embedded in employability skills and curriculum embedded in global citizenship (CGC). A comparison between the perceptions of these two universities, by taking perceptions of FMs across their disciplines, and experienced and less experienced FMs was made.

The findings indicate a global influence on the local context for IaH and the importance of experienced FM. Various disciplines in these universities are congruent with respect to these three subscales, except for one, the CGC for engineering and design. The findings reveal the global influences on the local contexts in the internationalization of curriculum and the relevance of experienced FMs in terms of curriculum and labor market experiences rather than years of service. The findings examine the importance of IaH in both contexts. Since the study was quantitative in nature, an in-depth understanding of FMs’ experiences could not be obtained.

Globalization and intercultural ties have led to IaH, as intercultural ties and connections seem to contribute to IoC. Context- and discipline-related differences provide implications for IoC, considering sociocultural and institutional factors.

This study provides a new perspective to help understand the influence of globalization on internationalizing higher education.