European Centre for Research Training and Development UK
Abstract
This study examines the extent to which international students from selected
countries were satisfied with their academic performance. The study aims to give an insight
into international students’ learning experience by exploring factors influencing students’
academic performance. The study adopted qualitative method. More specifically, semistructured interview was adopted with a total of 10 participants. The findings suggest that
International students studying in the United Kingdom encounter certain challenges which
tend to constrain their academic performance. The most significant of these barriers include
the foreign language, which particularly concerns inadequate acquaintance with the English
language; adjustment barriers, such as such as motivation, application, performance and
satisfaction with the academic environment, as well as making friends, being part of social
activities or being able to work in groups; academic issues, such as prior academic
preparation, adjustment to foreign teaching methodology and pressure from performance
expectations and work load issues, student teacher relationship, study skills, plagiarism and
group work; and Culture. The major contribution of this study is the framework for
understanding the critical factors influencing academic performance of international students
in the UK, which shows the order in which these factors interact to constrain learning and
ultimately the academic performance of international student