Universities must provide international students with clear and unambiguous information on recruitment and admissions, academic expectations, and employability, states new guidance published this week.
In 2010-11, there were 428,225 international students studying in UK higher education - 17 per cent of all UK HE students. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published guidance on how universities and other providers can best support them.
The guidance follows the 'typical' international student journey, from the point of first contact with the university or college through to graduation and further study or employment. Its guiding principles include:
• fostering an inclusive environment for international students
• representing international students and their interests in student engagement activity
• ensuring a shared responsibility for international student support from all staff, not just those with a specific remit.
QAA's Laura Bellingham says: 'International students make a significant contribution to the vitality of the UK higher education community and enrich the experiences of all students enrolled on UK HE programmes.
'It's important that all students have a positive experience at university or college. The new guidance is a toolkit for HE providers to give students the support they need to make a smooth and successful transition into life and study in the UK.
'QAA's new review method for higher education in England and Northern Ireland will look specifically at international students and the quality of learning opportunities provided.'
The popularity of UK HE relies on the quality of its provision. Large-scale student satisfaction surveys such as the National Student Survey and the International Student Barometer reveal high rates of satisfaction among international students. In recent surveys, eight out of 10 international students said they were satisfied with their experience of studying in the UK.
The areas in which international students are least satisfied are integration on-campus, cost, work opportunities and careers advice, and financial support. The guidance addresses these areas and suggests that higher education institutions should provide international students with information about, for example:
• 'buddying' schemes with domestic students
• legislation on working in the UK during or after study
• whether the study programme is professionally recognised or accredited
• opportunities for improving employability skills
• the estimated cost of living in the UK.
The guidance also advises higher education institutions to provide international students with pre-arrival information about practicalities such as what to expect from immigration control, how to open a UK bank account, and basic guidance on British laws, alongside details of the institution's induction programme.
QAA worked with higher education institutions and organisations, including the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and the National Union of Students (NUS), to develop the new guidance. Without being prescriptive, it offers practical advice and suggestions for ensuring the international student experience in the UK is a positive one.
Related categories:
International
Higher education reference points
Students
Notes to editor:
1 For further information, contact Joanna Wynn, Media Relations Officer, at j.wynn@qaa.ac.uk or 01452 557074.
2 The guidance is published on 17 January 2012. It is available at www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/International-students-studying-in-the-UK.aspx.
3 The statistics given in paragraph two are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) website, and those in paragraph seven from page two of International students studying in the UK - Guidance for UK higher education providers.
4 QAA's educational oversight and review is a key factor in the UK Border Agency's decision to award universities and other higher education providers a licence to sponsor international students for visas.
5 The guidance does not currently form part of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code), but instead highlights sections of the Quality Code that have particular resonance with supporting international students, as well as information published by organisations including the National Union of Students (NUS), the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), and the British Council.
6 In developing this guidance QAA worked with an advisory group that included representatives from UKCISA, NUS, the Higher Education Academy, Universities UK, GuildHE, the Association of Colleges, and higher education institutions from across the UK.
7 QAA safeguards the public interest in the quality and standards of UK higher education. We check how UK universities and colleges maintain their academic standards and quality. We review and report on how they meet their responsibilities, identify good practice, and make recommendations for improvement. We publish guidelines to help UK universities and colleges develop effective systems to ensure students have the best learning experience. Further information is available at: www.qaa.ac.uk.