TY - BOOK

T1 - Retrospective evaluations of UK education by international graduates

T2 - the role of social and cultural capital in shaping university experiences and post-graduation outcomes

AU - Pinto-Campillo, Leila

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - This thesis investigates how international students perceive and value their studies in the UK.It looks at whether and how international students gain economic, social, and cultural benefits,as described by Pierre Bourdieu, during and after their studies abroad.The primary objective is to assess whether higher education institutions (HEI) provideinternational students with the means to build different types of capital to achieve long-termsuccess. The research also examines the potential for fostering stronger relationships betweenstudents, HEIs, and the UK through deeper engagement, which could lead to increasedcollaboration in areas such as research, work initiatives, and alumni support, ultimatelybenefiting all parties involved. Constructivist and interpretivist approaches were applied, usinga qualitative methodology. The data was generated through 91 survey responses and 20 semi-structured interviews with students who graduated from a master’s program between 2015 and2021 at a university in London. Surveys were conducted via Qualtrics, and interviews wereheld on Zoom, as participants were living in different countries. The data was coded andanalysed using Atlas.ti.My research revealed that international students, regardless of their country of origin, gender,socio-economic background, or age, share remarkably similar goals. They consistentlyprioritise increasing their skills and knowledge, securing relevant employment aftergraduation, building meaningful friendships and enjoying their time abroad. In terms ofoutcomes, most participants expressed satisfaction with their academic and financialachievements. However, students felt that they had few opportunities for social and culturalexposure during their postgraduate studies, which resulted in most participants retaining verylimited friendships in the long term. This aligns with HEIs' emphasis on academic success andemployability outcomes, which often overlook the broader aspects of student engagement thatcontributes to building social and cultural capital. HEIs seem to miss the obvious links amongsocial, cultural, and economic capital, as evidenced by Bourdieu, failing to recognise how theseforms of capital intersect to shape students' holistic development and future opportunities. Anapproach that aligns the long-term retention of skilled graduates with stable migratory policiescould not only enhance the student experience but also strengthen the UK’s position as a globalleader in higher education.

AB - This thesis investigates how international students perceive and value their studies in the UK.It looks at whether and how international students gain economic, social, and cultural benefits,as described by Pierre Bourdieu, during and after their studies abroad.The primary objective is to assess whether higher education institutions (HEI) provideinternational students with the means to build different types of capital to achieve long-termsuccess. The research also examines the potential for fostering stronger relationships betweenstudents, HEIs, and the UK through deeper engagement, which could lead to increasedcollaboration in areas such as research, work initiatives, and alumni support, ultimatelybenefiting all parties involved. Constructivist and interpretivist approaches were applied, usinga qualitative methodology. The data was generated through 91 survey responses and 20 semi-structured interviews with students who graduated from a master’s program between 2015 and2021 at a university in London. Surveys were conducted via Qualtrics, and interviews wereheld on Zoom, as participants were living in different countries. The data was coded andanalysed using Atlas.ti.My research revealed that international students, regardless of their country of origin, gender,socio-economic background, or age, share remarkably similar goals. They consistentlyprioritise increasing their skills and knowledge, securing relevant employment aftergraduation, building meaningful friendships and enjoying their time abroad. In terms ofoutcomes, most participants expressed satisfaction with their academic and financialachievements. However, students felt that they had few opportunities for social and culturalexposure during their postgraduate studies, which resulted in most participants retaining verylimited friendships in the long term. This aligns with HEIs' emphasis on academic success andemployability outcomes, which often overlook the broader aspects of student engagement thatcontributes to building social and cultural capital. HEIs seem to miss the obvious links amongsocial, cultural, and economic capital, as evidenced by Bourdieu, failing to recognise how theseforms of capital intersect to shape students' holistic development and future opportunities. Anapproach that aligns the long-term retention of skilled graduates with stable migratory policiescould not only enhance the student experience but also strengthen the UK’s position as a globalleader in higher education.

KW - International students, social capital, cultural capital, Bourdieu, institutional support, migration policy

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2842

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2842

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -