Private higher education institutions in Mexico. Social representations of studens: privilege and prestigePrivate higher education institutions in Mexico. Social representations of studens: privilege and prestige

Abstract

In Mexico a significant number of students attend private higher education institutions (IESP for its acronym in Spanish). Little is known about these players and what it represents for them to study at an IESP. The objective of this article is to explore the representations built by two groups of students from different IESP, low and medium profile, with regard to their institution. Supported by the theory of social representations a qualitative study was undertaken including ten interviews. The analysis identified two social representations: one produced by students of a low profile IESP, whose core element was the privilege to continue professional training; the other one from students of a medium profile whose key aspect was the prestige to attend a private institution.