Open AccessStudy of Chinese Students’ Application to UK Universities in Uncertain Times
Author(s) -
Yang Ying,
Sylvie Lomer,
Miguel Antonio Lim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of international students
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2166-3750
pISSN - 2162-3104
DOI - 10.32674/jis.v12i3.3777
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , china , pandemic , higher education , public relations , international education , covid-19 , information asymmetry , process (computing) , political science , psychology , medical education , business , medicine , geography , disease , archaeology , finance , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , computer science , operating system
A large number of Chinese applicants use education agents to apply for overseas programmes. This research investigates agents’ practices with in-service Chinese applicants to UK universities in the context of information asymmetry. COVID-19 pandemic has generated severe challenges for the international higher education sector and on Chinese applicants’ plans to study overseas.This study reports on the findings from in-depth interviews with 16 Chinese agent consultants undertaken in nine cities across China in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic (May 2020). The findings indicate that education agents attempt to mitigate the information asymmetry and emotionally reassure applicants through a four-step information management process. Our contribution generates a new understanding of the role that education agents play in international students’ applications and mobility, voices that are often ignored but essential for international students’ decision-making processes and existing university recruitment services.