Objectives:
The aim of the article is to identify the factors related to the decision to study National Security at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, and to determine whether there is a relationship between them.

Material and methods:
The study employed a diagnostic survey method, supplemented by statistical-comparative analysis techniques, including factor analysis. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed specifically for this research, entitled „Questionnaire on the Motives for Undertaking Studies in National Security”.

Results:
The analysis identified two primary factors associated with the decision to enroll in the National Security program. The first factor was designated as „Orientation toward personal development with a security component”, while the second was labelled „Aspiration for personal success”. The first factor, accounting for approximately 12.3% of the variance, reflects autotelic (intrinsic) learning motivations among the respondents. In contrast, the second factor, explaining over 8.7% of the variance, appears to represent instrumental (extrinsic) motivations for pursuing higher education. The study found no statistically significant relationship between the identified factors.

Conclusions:
Nevertheless, the substantial proportion of variance explained by the first factor is noteworthy, as it indicates a promising level of intrinsic motivation among students undertaking studies in National Security.