Experience of international students on studying a master's course at Delta University

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 This study investigates the experiences of international students on studying a postgraduate course at Delta University. Previous studies have not explored in detail the experiences of blended learning on international students during the Covid-19 era when universities in the UK shifted teaching from face-to-face to blended or online learning. This research thus seeks to address this research deficit by employing zoom interview method to examine international students’ experiences of blended learning. 
 The research discovered that some international students had positive experiences of studying a postgraduate course because the university staff members were supportive towards students. Furthermore, blended learning gave students the flexibility to manage their studies. On the contrary, students’ negative experiences were attributed mostly to Covid-19 regulations of social distancing whereby students made limited friends and various students’ activities were cancelled. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made. Provision of sufficient and relevant information to students on what will be taught in courses is needed in order for students to make the right decisions regarding the courses of study. Additionally, students need extra support on how to write the dissertation. Moreover, lecturers should offer the pre-recorded videos as an online live session because students concentrate effectively when lectures are leading the session compared to when students are on their own.