1. Social Exclusion Of
International Students
An exploration of the International
students within a UK University and from a
UK and International perspective
3. Aims & Rational
Explore to what extent international students (EU and
non-EU) face social exclusion and discrimination within
UK
It is a contemporary issue and a real problem
Although literature is limited
WHY?
5. History, legislation and
statistics
University of Paris opening its doors to scholars outside France in the
13th Century (Jemmy J. Lee & Charles Rice, 2007)
According to HESA (2014) between 2012-13 18% of all students
involved in HE were from different country
Although for EEA nationals no further documents are required (visas,
works permit), non-EU have more representatives (UKCISA, 2014)
In 2012-2013 5% EU students while 13% came from outside of UK
(HESA, 2014)
International students ( EU and non-EU) have a positive impact on the
British Economy system, bringing over £2.4 billion only from HE
tuition fees in 2008-09 (BIS, 2011)
Furthermore money that international student pay sustain thousands
of jobs across the UK economy (UKCISA, 2014)
6. Media representation
International students are presented in the media as a threat
for the market (jobs) (The Guardian, 2011)
Moreover, Romanians and Bulgarians are accused of
claiming benefits (The Guardian, 2013)
Hate crimes are mediatised (University of Birmingham)
Which leads to the definition of racial discrimination: “any
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on
race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin”(OHCHR,
2014)
7. Nigerian Student Gina Thompson was accused in a
public place of claiming poverty. ‘I am an international
student and I pay £13,000 a year’ (The Daily Mail,
2013)
8. Exclusion within the
University
Pritchard and Skinner (2002) illustrates that University staff
may not consider the cultural difficulties of international
students and may wrongly mistake their silence as
disinterest or incompetence
Leads to isolation and anxiety from the student
Necessity of support from professors (Corrine M. Karrupan
& Mahna Barari, 2011)
Concerning disinterest and lack of support from Universities
about International students: ‘My University is only
interested in the fees I pay’ (BBC, 2013)
9. Theories deducted from
literature review
Moral panics (Thomson Kenneth, 1998):
- Fear of international ‘stealing jobs’ from British workers (The
Guardian, 2009)
- Fear of international students accessing social benefits from the
British Government (Huffington Post, 2014)
Theory of social exclusion
- International students are more likely to be excluded due to their
different culture/ point of view/ethnicity (Patrick L. Bruch & Jeanne L. Higbee
& Kwabena Siaka, 2007)
Labeling theory (Howard Becker, 1963)
- Stigma of a certain ethnic group such as Romanian and Bulgarians
(assuming that all are thieves and claim benefits) (Lawrence J. Saha and
Gary Dworkin, 2009)
- Also due to the media representation
10. Data Collection
Theoretical approach
Qualitative research
To focus on different reasons why difference exists
“The authenticity of human experience is a strong feature of qualitative research”
(Silverman, 2010)
Methodology
2 focus groups
3 UK students/ 3 non-UK students
Allows comparability whilst providing a better picture into the views of participants in
terms of their experience in UK or their opinion about multi-cultural Universities
And comparing their views (Bryman, 2008)
Thematic analysis
Break information into themes (Bryman, 2008)
11. Ethical issues
Confirmation of access via personal consent
Take all steps to ensure confidentiality and anonymity
Right to withdraw at any time within 2 months before handing in
the dissertation
Not asking questions about previous victimisation or crimes
Contact supervisor if any ethical issues arise(Silverman, 2010)
(Bryman, 2008)
In the ethics form submitted on the 01/12/14 the following ethical
aspects were considered, that are set out in the statement of The
British Society of Criminology
13. Conclusion
Discrimination towards international students is real
Media and research papers prove it
However there are limited resources through the focus
group more details and opinions will be gained
Analysis of data using thematic analysis
Ethical consideration must be taken into account
Proposed timeline aims to organisation to these research so
task are completed on time
14. Reference list:
Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods. Oxford: OUP
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https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32395/11-980-estimating-value-of-
education-exports.pdf
Coughlan, S. (2013). Foreign students ‘feeling less welcome in UK’. BBC. Retrieved from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23003987
Duell, M. (2013). Rant of woman against Suffolk students from Spain and Nigeria at Ipswich Hospital. The Daily Mail.
Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2273150/Rant-woman-Suffolk-students-Spain-Nigeria-Ipswich-
Hospital.html
HESA. (2014, January 16). HESA - Higher Education Statistics Agency - HESA - Higher Education Statistics Agency.
Retrieved from https://www.hesa.ac.uk/sfr197
Jenny J. L., & Charles, R. (2007). Welcome to America? International student perceptions of discrimination Higher
Education, doi: 10.1007/s10734-005-4508-3
Karuppan, C. M., & Barari, M. (2011). Perceived Discrimination and international students’ learning: an empirical
investigation . Doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2011.537013
Kenneth, T. (1998). Moral Panics. London: Routledge.
15. Pritchard, R. M. O., and Skinner, B. (2002). Cross cultural partnership between home and international
students. Journal of studies in International Education
Saha, L.J., & Dworkin, A. G. (2009) International Handbook of research of teachers and teaching. New
York: Sringer.
Sheriff, L. (2014). Keith Vaz: Government is ‘Afraid’ Of International Students. Huffington Post. Retrieved
from: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/24/keith-vaz-government-afraid-international-
students_n_6042094.html
Silverman, D. (2010). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook. London: SAGE.
Straw, W. (2011). Globalisation: reflecting on the position and future of UK higher education | Higher
Education Network | The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-
network/blog/2011/oct/27/globalisation-policitc-uk-higher-education
UKCISA - International students in UK HE - International student statistics: UK higher education. (2014,
March 7). Retrieved from http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Info-for-universities-colleges--schools/Policy-research--
statistics/Research--statistics/International-students-in-UK-HE/
United Nations Human Rights – International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination. Retrieved from: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CERD.aspx
Wintour, P. (2013). Tories rush through curbs on benefits access for Romanians and Bulgarians. The
Guardian. Retrieved from:http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/18/david-cameron-benefits-
romanians-bulgarians
