An investigation into helping international students to be better prepared before coming to the UK: a case study at Business and Management Department in Bath Spa University

When many educationists argue the importance of the interaction between international students and domestic students to achieve better learning outcomes for both sides, the researchers observe that, due to cultural, language and other issues, international students tend to keep themselves in the community of their fellow countrymen on and off campus. Domestic students are observed to have similar behaviour. After investigating the reasons behind this practice through a previous study, these research aims to identify and practice the strategies to encourage both international students and domestic students to better engage. Taking a 3+1 top-up business programme as a case study, this research involves two steps. Firstly, this study investigates language, cultural and academic needs of international students in relation to preparing themselves before starting the course. Secondly, this study identifies the strategies to be used to design and deliver classes that better help international students and domestic students to interact. This research finds and argues that with the understanding and preparation through these two steps, the international students will be more confident and more comfortable when joining UK classrooms. Positive relationships between international students and domestic students are identified both within and outside the classroom, which potentially enhance their learning experience and learning outcomes for both sides