A Comparative Study of the Perception of Higher-Level Students Regarding the Use of English and Urdu as Medium of Instruction

Abstract

This study examined higher-level students' perceptions of English and Urdu as medium of 
instruction, focusing on gender and institutional differences. It aimed to identify gender
based variations, compare perceptions between students in public and private institutions, 
and assess the perceived effectiveness of both languages in academic settings. The research 
was conducted at higher educational institutes in Gujranwala city using a quantitative 
research method. Data was collected from 150 students through questionnaire. In 
questionnaire 34-items were used. 5-point Likert-scale was used to collect data. Data was 
analyzed using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics and t-tests to compare group responses. 
The findings indicated that female students preferred Urdu for its accessibility, whereas male 
students favored English for its global significance. Moreover, students from private 
institutions preferred English for its academic and professional advantages, while public 
institution students showed a more balanced preference. The study highlighted the influence 
of gender and institutional context on language preferences, emphasizing the need for 
inclusive language policies that address diverse needs of students.