Engineering students’ perceptions of the role of work industry-related activities on their motivation for studying and learning in higher education

A number of key graduate outcomes related to industry-based interventions and work-industry-related activities (WIA’s) are specified by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance for all Engineering Degree Programmes. paucity research regarding student perceptions these WIAs their role in student’s motivation learning motivates current study. Understanding WIA is critical ensuring effective integration into engineering education. This study explores perceived motivational effects with which students engage through lens self-determination theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted nineteen master’s studying two research-intensive universities. Six themes emerged from thematic analysis. The describe impact can have on terms (1) relevance development knowledge skills, (2) influence future profession identity, (3) utility gaining industrial experience, inclusive (4) programmes study, (5) industry marketisation agendas, (6) alignment needs over own needs. motivating demotivating aspects WIA’s based discussed improve collaboration between academia