Abstract
Numerous studies have highlighted the academic and emotional challenges facing students when making the transition to postgraduate courses. Such challenges include negative feelings such as low confidence, uncertainty, reticence to participate and feelings of being overwhelmed. International students also face additional challenges when transitioning to postgraduate study, notably culture shock, social isolation, limited proficiency in English, and an unfamiliar academic environment.
Although the challenges faced by students making the transition to postgraduate study are well known by USW teaching staff the MBA Global teaching team are confronted by a several factors, notably large (100+) international student cohorts and sporadic university enrolments which curtail the effectiveness of timetabled face to face induction activities. Such factors increased the need to develop innovative strategies to improve the student transition experience. An online induction scheme was accordingly developed in 2021 to facilitate the transition of students to the MBA Global course before they officially enrolled at USW.
This study accordingly investigates the impact of the MBA Global online induction scheme on the transition of international students to university. The study employed a purposive sampling approach involving two cohorts of MBA Global applicants (firmly accepted course offer) who were scheduled to enrol on the course in September 2021 and February 2022. Based on quantitative data obtained from a survey embedded in the online induction scheme feedback for each induction component was analysed using measures of frequency. Findings highlight the positive impact of the online induction scheme on students’ transition to university, notably in terms of building confidence and helping to establish course expectations
Although the challenges faced by students making the transition to postgraduate study are well known by USW teaching staff the MBA Global teaching team are confronted by a several factors, notably large (100+) international student cohorts and sporadic university enrolments which curtail the effectiveness of timetabled face to face induction activities. Such factors increased the need to develop innovative strategies to improve the student transition experience. An online induction scheme was accordingly developed in 2021 to facilitate the transition of students to the MBA Global course before they officially enrolled at USW.
This study accordingly investigates the impact of the MBA Global online induction scheme on the transition of international students to university. The study employed a purposive sampling approach involving two cohorts of MBA Global applicants (firmly accepted course offer) who were scheduled to enrol on the course in September 2021 and February 2022. Based on quantitative data obtained from a survey embedded in the online induction scheme feedback for each induction component was analysed using measures of frequency. Findings highlight the positive impact of the online induction scheme on students’ transition to university, notably in terms of building confidence and helping to establish course expectations
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 22 Jun 2022 |
| Event | USW Learning and Teaching Conference 2022 - Duration: 10 Jun 2022 → … |
Conference
| Conference | USW Learning and Teaching Conference 2022 |
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| Period | 10/06/22 → … |