International Education in the United Kingdom

For the last 40 years, the number of international studentsaspiring to obtain a qualification in U.K. universities has been exponentially growing.However, such growth has been contested. What seemed to be a “golden” opportunity forBlack-African students to pursue their education in the United Kingdom is met withchallenges that impact the whole process of adjustment. This article examines thesechallenges using a qualitative empirical study of Black-African postgraduate students,carried out in three U.K. universities. The methods utilized were observations, focusgroups, one-to-one interviews, and a case study to help identify and analyze the issues.The participants reported significant financial pressures and difficulties inunderstanding and integrating into the culture of U.K. universities. In some cases,these challenges left the students feeling disillusioned and cynical about the value ofan international education. Universities must endeavor to tailor their recruitment,orientation, and support programs to the needs of Black-African international studentsor face damaging their reputations as world-class education providers