Student and staff expectations and experiences of a UK–China Transnational Education collaboration

Rowley, M. and Skipper, Y. (2021) Student and staff expectations and experiences of a UK–China Transnational Education collaboration. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 13(5), pp. 1374-1387. (doi: 10.1108/JARHE-01-2020-0021)

Abstract

Purpose: This study reports the results of a survey of teaching staff in the UK and China and two cohorts of Chinese students. We explored perceptions of a Transnational Education (TNE) course taught by UK teachers at a Chinese university to ascertain similarities and differences in perceptions and to help inform future TNE design and provision. Design/methodology/approach: Teachers in the UK (N = 10) and Chinese University (N = 20) and two cohorts of Chinese students (N = 102) completed questionnaires about their perceptions of the collaboration, including why they thought the university had developed the course and the benefits and risks of the course. They were also asked why they personally or why they thought the students had enrolled in the course. Questions were a mix of forced choice and open response formats. Findings: Prior to the course commencing, differences were identified between UK and Chinese teachers in their perception of the risks and benefits of the course and the challenges students might face. Differences were also seen in teachers' and students' views about why students enrolled and their expectations about the course. The TNE is no longer running and many of the reasons for this were identified by our participants before the course had begun. Originality/value: This suggests the importance of engaging with various stakeholders in the setup of TNE to ensure a close match between staff, student and institutional expectations of the course. This is likely to increase the likelihood of success of such programmes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Skipper, Dr Yvonne
• Authors: Rowley, M., and Skipper, Y.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
• Publisher: Emerald
• ISSN: 1758-1184
• ISSN (Online): 2050-7003
• Published Online: 16 December 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Emerald Publishing Limited
• First Published: First published in Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education 13(5): 1374-1387
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher