Narrowing the attainment gap between domestic and international students: use of a simulation and experiential learning in mixed-cohort strategic management teaching.

Abstract

In this article we present an Action Research project which attempted to address the significant performance gap between domestic and international students on an undergraduate Business Management course at a UK university business school. In designing a final year strategy module around a business simulation, we provided international students with opportunities for active engagement through collaborative tasks, which we hoped would lead to enhanced performance and deeper engagement with teamwork, leadership and negotiation skills when studying in mixed-nationality cohorts. Recent figures from Universities UK International (2017) indicate that the UK receives almost half a million international students each year, with about 30% of these doing some form of Business and Administrative Studies. China is by far the largest country of origin, followed by Malaysia, USA, India and Nigeria. Within the Business Management subjects, international students make up about 27% of the total at undergraduate level and 63% on postgraduate taught courses. As many of the international students are on ‘top-up’ courses, the proportion of international students in a final year BM programme can be considerably higher.