Different Views? - The Experiences of International Students Studying HE in Three Non-university Settings

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marglet

Research examines international students’ perspectives when undertaking Higher Education in publicly-funded colleges rather than universities across three English-speaking countries. Comparative survey data covers American community colleges, an Australian TAFE institute, and English further education colleges, evaluating satisfaction with support, employability prospects, and fees. The study highlights the importance of qualification status and college reputation, values teaching staff as primarily educators, and explores concerns about value for money, social integration, and cultural engagement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Survey Context

Research Design and Methodology

Results (Three Surveys)

Discussion and Implications

Checklist for College Leaders and Senior Managers

Different Views? The Experiences of International Students Studying HE in Three Non-university Settings By Madeleine King􀀍, Maxine Courtier†, Chet Shaw ‡, Cynthia Anderson§ & John Widdowson 􀁩 The purpose of the research was to discover the views of three groups of International students who were undertaking their Higher Education (HE) in a publicly-funded college, rather than a university setting. A comparative survey was undertaken by International students attending an American Community College, an Australian Technical and Further Education Institute and a group of English colleges which offer Higher Education. All three groups were satisfied with their provision. The college setting was perceived to offer higher levels of support than would have been available ata university, plus enhanced employability prospects and lower fees than those charged by a university. The status of an Australian, English or American HE qualification was important, as was the reputation of their particular college. The market for International students is highly competitive and largely driven by universities. The English experience suggests that colleges should focus on the marketing of specialist courses. In all cases, the fact that teaching staff were primarily teachers, rather than researchers was highly valued by respondents, as was their currency in their subject. However, there were strong feelings about value for money and the ability to engage with Home students and wider Australian, British or American culture. International students choose to study abroad because they want to broaden their own horizons and learn more about other cultures: many respondents found these opportunities to be limited. In order to help address this, an International student recruitment Checklist for senior college staff is presented as part of the research findings. Keywords: Higher Education, International students, colleges, value-for-money. Introduction Much has been written about International students and universities, with comparatively little attention (in England, at least) paid to those who choose to pursue their Higher Education (HE) in a college setting. This paper is about some of those college-based students. It reports the findings of a survey carried out in 2017-18 into the views of International students who are studying for HE qualifications in a publicly-funded college rather than a university. We set out to answer the question “Are there any lessons and successful practice to be drawn from the experiences of International students studying in non-university contextsin three English-speaking countries?” 􀀍Research and International Officer, New College Durham, UK. †Dean, Holmesglen Technical and Further Education Institute, Australia. ‡Dean, Moraine Valley Community College, USA. §Dean, Moraine Valley Community College, USA. 􀁩 Principal and Chief Executive, New College Durham, UK. [https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.8-3-2](https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.8-3-2) doi=10.30958/aje.8-3-2 The research involved students enrolled in three locations - Holmesglen Technical and Further Education Institute (TAFE) in Melbourne, Australia, Moraine Valley Community College near Chicago, in the United States and members of the Mixed Economy Group of English Further Education (FE) colleges. With some local adjustments to reflect use of language and academic terminology within the three countries, the same survey questionnaire was used with all three groups of students, making it possible to compare the responses to particular issues. The Mixed Economy Group (MEG) had carried out a similar survey of International students within its member colleges in 2013. The survey set out to compare responses to a number of areas of student life. These included accommodation; sources of course funding; teaching and learning issues; social integration; motivation to study in Australia, England or the US, whether or not the student felt welcome in the c

FAQs

What was the primary purpose of the research?

To discover the views of three groups of international students studying Higher Education in publicly-funded colleges rather than in university settings.

Which countries and institutions were included in the comparative survey?

An American Community College, an Australian Technical and Further Education institute, and a group of English further education colleges that offer Higher Education.

What did respondents value most about the college experience?

College settings were perceived as providing higher support, stronger employability prospects, and lower fees, while teaching staff being primarily teachers and being current in their subjects was highly valued.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marglet