The study-to-work transition of Chinese international students: Navigating a future in the global labour market

Abstract

In the global competition for talents, the massive inflow of Chinese students into the UK has drawn great attention. However, only few studies examine students’ interactions with socioeconomic structures in their study-to-work transition. This study used HESA data and interview data collected from Chinese postgraduate students, and it aims to: investigate structural factors that influence post-study migration patterns of Chinese students; and explore how Chinese students interact with wider social structures. This study found that different configurations between student’s ‘goals’, ‘actions’, and ‘reflexivity’ would lead to different employment outcomes. Three different study-to-work transition strategies were identified: ‘proceeding without a fixed plan’; ‘reaching a compromise’; and ‘knowing goals and approaching to goals’. Findings suggest that transition between study and work is more complex than what is described in human capital and push-pull approaches. Better understanding of students’ decision-making process would help HEIs in preparing graduates for careers in global labour market.