Chinese International Postgraduate Taught Students’ Transitional Experiences Jie Zhang J.ZHANG.3@research.gla.ac.uk

Largest Group: Chinese Students

Participant Recruitment Research Methods Participant Recruitment Chinese PGT students University of Glasgow Data Collection Face-to-face interviews Photo-elicitation technique Data Analysis Inductive data analysis

Motivation for Studying in the UK Finding 1 Motivation for Studying in the UK

“The purpose of going abroad is to see things and get to know things.” New horizon and career preparation “The purpose of going abroad is to see things and get to know things.” “Studying in the UK can help me find a better job in Shanghai and stay there.”

Expectation for Studying in British Academia Finding 2 Expectation for Studying in British Academia

Negative Expectations “I don’t like this major after four-year study. But I have to have this master’s degree if I want to find a job in China…I have heard business school has a lot of Chinese students and it is very true. I don’t feel like I am studying in the UK.” Hui

Perception on British Academic Culture Finding 3 Perception on British Academic Culture

Active and Independent Learning Lydia Savanna “It is your own time, your own study…no one will be watching you studying…you will be clearer what you are doing and why you are doing this.” “It is student-oriented in the UK. I feel it is good as it offers students an opportunity to explore what they want to learn rather than listening to lecturers passively.”

Some Challenges “Although it seems we don’t have a lot of classes, we actually have a lot of books to do, a lot of readings.” “Lecturers…go through slides very very fast...without stopping...I felt like I was having a rather rough time keeping up with the lecturer.” “I just don’t get a very good sense of the expectations. So, in terms of an assignment, I feel that...we need more clarity and expectations."

…... Implications Activities Career Services Academic Skills Independent Learning Guidance Academic Skills …... English Language Support Activities Implications

Jie Zhang University of Glasgow J.ZHANG.3@research.gla.ac.uk