Abstract
The emergence of international education in UK higher education is seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement for both students and institutions. Higher education institutions benefit through the financial gain of recruiting and retaining international students. International students benefit and are attracted to study in the UK through various ‘pull and push’ factors. This paper explores the expectations and experiences of international students whilst undertaking a UK university degree. It seeks to identify how international students’ expectations and experiences correspond with the expectations, systems and cultures of their chosen university. This examination is underpinned by a review of both the key barriers to learning faced by international students and the support systems the university has in place to combat these problems. A study of first year international students from different countries studying business and management courses at a post’92 university in northern England has examined the key issues. The findings show a convergence and divergence of student expectations, needs and actual reality at the university. The study notes that a failure to communicate or manage this possible gap can be problematic for both the student and the institution, resulting in a possible ‘culture’ or ‘academic’ shock for the learner. The aim of this study is to examine the key motivators and barriers relevant to international students in the UK with a view to providing examples of effective teaching and support strategies at the university.