Seminar: HAVE: British universities in Hong Kong: creating new transnational subjects?

Dr. Johanna L. Waters
Senior Lecturer in Urban Resilience
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
The University of Birmingham

This paper examines the expectations and experiences of local Chinese students undertaking British degree programmes in Hong Kong. It draws on the findings of a recent research project (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Research Grants Council), which has involved over 70 in-depth interviews with students and graduates in Hong Kong, and 15 interviews with UK educational 'providers'. In this paper, we argue that through the introduction of so-called 'top-up' programmes, British universities are providing degree-level education to students unable to access local higher education (HE) in Hong Kong. Drawing upon our interviews with students and graduates, we show the immense cultural and social expectations, placed upon young people in Hong Kong, to obtain a university degree, and the role of 'international' education in (partially) offsetting the shortfall in domestic university places. However, we also suggest that the cultural and social capital available to students undertaking these degrees is often limited, with broader implications for understanding the role of transnational educational provision in local social reproduction, especially in East Asia.

This seminar will take place in Room B35a, The Exchange Building, Jubilee Campus

Refreshments will be available from 4.00 pm

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