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This University of Reading RETF (Research Endowment Trust Fund) project investigates the impact of academic and social support on the adaptation, integration and academic success of Chinese postgraduate students in the UK within a Sino-British partnership scheme. Focus group and individual interviews were conducted with 11 Chinese students on an MA programme in education, their course tutors, in-sessional language support tutors, other support staff and representatives of an external organization offering wider social support to the students. Student essay and dissertation grades were also collected. Data was analysed using a qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti 5.0.
The main findings are: Pro-active and targeted academic and pastoral support, both in the form of new provisions and on-going support, has a positive effect on the Chinese students’ confidence, academic and cultural adaptation and academic success, and student retention; wider social support plays a significant role in enriching students’ social and cultural experiences and reducing isolation.