Abstract

This is an exploratory study evaluating key factors contributing to the development of critical thinking capabilities for
international postgraduate business learners in a tertiary education organisation in NZ. The study adopted qualitative
methods through semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling to obtain primary data from 26 participants from
three different groups: learners, lecturers and managers in a tertiary institute. The findings of the data analysis through
thematic analysis showed:

• The top six challenges for critical thinking development for international postgraduate learners are language barriers,
  cultural background, previous education system, time management, and prior experience with critical thinking.
  
  
• The study proposed three approaches to improve critical thinking capabilities: pre-course strategies, in-course strategies, and post-course strategies.

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