Educational, sociocultural and employment experience of Chinese international students in the UK

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the challenges and experiences of female Chinese international students in the UK. The thesis depicts evidence generated from 64 semi-structured interviews with 24 female Chinese students undertaking a 1-year taught postgraduate course in a UK Russell group HE institution. Conducted over an 18-month period, the fieldwork comprised repeat interviews that sought to build up the different aspects of experiences and attitudes perceived by female Chinese students and how they coped with challenging experiences as individuals. This study covers motivation for internationalisation in higher education, impressions of the UK, experiences of Chinese students in the UK, and stereotypes of Chinese students.

The results illustrated that female Chinese students had both favourable experiences and difficulties while staying in the UK. The impressions of the UK were generally positive and satisfactory. Most female Chinese students had employment intention in the UK. The experience of studying in the UK influenced the impression of the UK, and also influenced the intention to remain or to work in the UK.

This thesis makes contributions to academic knowledge, to international education practitioners, and to prospective Chinese students considering study in the UK. This research has adopted a longitudinal approach which is a novel aspect from the methodological perspective. Implications of this research can apply to multiple subjects. These include Chinese students, the UK host HE institutions, the UK host cities and the UK as a country.