Chinese Students in UK Further Education: Examining Aspirations, Motivations and Choices

Chinese students in the UK have been increasing in number for many years, yet competition from other Western educators and increasing investment in China’s own education system has led to concern that UK institutions may soon see a decline in their market share. Dr. Reynolds addresses this issue in Chinese Students in UK Further Education by attempting to understand students’ experiences from their perspective. Beginning with an exploration of why these students choose to come and study in the UK, and why they are coming at younger ages, the book goes on to discuss topics such as risk, technology and diversity, in order to understand which factors have the greatest influence on where they choose to study and whether they choose to remain at an institution.

Drawing on data from two different education institutions, providers of GCSE A-level programmes for students aged 16-18 years, Dr. Reynolds attempts to understand what these students experience during their studies, how they manage new social relationships, and whether, upon course completion, they achieved the results they desired at the outset. Moreover, the book aims to ascertain whether the students feel, in hindsight, that the decision to risk investing in UK further education was right and what they might communicate about UK study to contacts in China and elsewhere.

The book examines what further education institutions do well and where they might improve, to help develop Chinese students’ educational experiences. As such, it will be essential reading for academics, researchers and postgraduates in the fields of further education, sociology of education, international and intercultural education and mobility studies.