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International Students and Further Education Colleges in England: The Context, Policy Tensions, and Some Aspects of Practice

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Internationalization in Vocational Education and Training

Abstract

This chapter sets out the context of publicly funded further education colleges in England, outlining the position and development of these complex institutions within the broader educational structure. This is followed by discussion of some tensions and contradictions which arise from government policies partially driven by anxieties derived from debates surrounding levels of immigration together with recognition of the imperatives and opportunities arising from globalization. The benefits of the internationalization of education have been expounded whilst simultaneously enforcing visa regulations which impede the efforts of colleges to make inroads in the international student market. In particular, disparities between the treatment of the further and higher education sectors are highlighted. The paper also provides an account of practices which have emerged in a single FE college in England over a decade of working with international students following an access to HE course. The chapter indicates some of the many benefits which have been brought to FE by international students as well as the ways in which a college has developed its practices in response to their needs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Roy Fisher

  2. Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, York College, York, UK

    Mike Saunders

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  1. Roy Fisher
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  2. Mike Saunders
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Correspondence to Roy Fisher .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

    Ly Thi Tran

  2. Independent Education Consultant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Kate Dempsey

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Fisher, R., Saunders, M. (2017). International Students and Further Education Colleges in England: The Context, Policy Tensions, and Some Aspects of Practice. In: Tran, L., Dempsey, K. (eds) Internationalization in Vocational Education and Training. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47859-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47859-3_6

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47857-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-47859-3

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