Projects

Researching international and transnational education students' digital experience

Highlighting alternative perspectives and considering issues that might affect the digital experience of international and transnational education students.

Ongoing

Started:

Expected outcome: Advice

International students smile as they use their laptops on a bench outside on campus.

About the project

Building on 18 years of research into students’ digital experience, including seven years of running the digital experience insights surveys, we wanted to first take a deeper dive into the digital experience of international students coming to study in the UK, before doing the same with transnational education students.

To support the HE sector in providing an equitable student learning experience, we wanted to understand the previous experience of our international and transnational education students in accessing and using digital technologies. However, we recognised this wasn't just about access; this was about considering cultural and digital expectations and differences.

What have we done so far?

The first two phases of research looked at the digital experiences of international students who come to study in UK higher education.

The first phase of our research centred on reviewing issues and perspectives from UK HE providers, policy-makers, academic and grey literature, and advocates working in this space. In April 2023, we launched our phase one report.

Phase two has focused on direct consultation with international students in UK HE. From May to July 2023, we ran a cross-institutional survey with 14 UK HE providers, and made ten visits to undertake international student focus groups. The survey generated 2,067 responses and we spoke with 150 students. Analysis of this data, along with recommendations for the HE sector, are in our phase two report, published in November 2023. We have additionally released a set of thematic briefing papers (links below) relating to this second phase.

In the third phase of research, commenced in 2024, we have turned our attention to transnational education (TNE) students’ digital experience. With one in five registered UK students in transnational education, it is increasingly central to the strategic vision of many UK higher education institutions, with some universities having larger cohorts of transnational education students than domestic UK students. Developed in partnership with 21 higher education institutions, our first TNE report highlights the digital challenges affecting global learning from a UK perspective. The second global education and technology report focuses on the user experience, drawing on direct feedback from over 5,000 TNE students and staff in over 30 countries to better understand these digital challenges. Drawn from our sector recommendations, our latest publication offers guidance to university leaders on delivering digital equity in transnational education.

Reports, briefing papers and guidance

Reports

Briefing papers

Guidance

Next steps

We will:

  • Publish our third global education and technology report in early 2027, reporting on the actions taken by higher education providers to implement strategic improvements informed by their TNE digital experience data insights together with our recommendations for the sector
  • Continue to work with UUKi, British Council, QAA and other key organisations to support the growth and development of UK HE TNE

Get involved

We have established a sector community of practice with over 500 members, which encourages engagement with this work. Membership comprises representation from higher education providers, as well as sector bodies whose remits support international and TNE students in higher education. If you'd like to join this community, please contact Elizabeth Newall (elizabeth.newall@jisc.ac.uk).

Meet the project team

  • Sarah Knight

    Sarah Knight

    Director of digital transformation (HE)
  • Headshot of Elizabeth Newall

    Elizabeth Newall

    Senior sector specialist (digital transformation)
  • Tabetha Newman

    Dr Tabetha Newman

    Senior research consultant and CEO, Timmus Limited
  • Headshot of Mike Gulliver

    Dr Mike Gulliver

    Senior researcher consultant, Timmus Research Ltd

Project outputs

  1. Global education and technology: digital challenges associated with the effective delivery of transnational education part oneDownload the report (pdf)
  2. Sector examples of improved practice in supporting the digital experience of international studentsDownload the paper (pdf)
  3. Digital country profiles: international students’ digital experiences in relation to their home country’s civil digital infrastructureDownload the paper (pdf)
  4. Comparing international and UK-domiciled student responses in Jisc’s digital experience insights (DEI) surveyDownload the paper (pdf)
  5. Supporting international students’ digital experience: a checklist for providing an equitable and inclusive experienceDownload the checklist (pdf)
  6. Facilitating holistic conversations about the student experience with international studentsDownload the guide (pdf)
  7. International students’ digital experience phase two: experiences and expectationsRead the phase 2 report
  8. International students’ digital experience phase one: a review of policy, academic literature and views from UK higher educationRead the phase 1 report