A Bourdieu’s Analysis of How Chinese Graduates Perceive the Influence of a UK One-year Masters

Abstract

This study employs an inductive thematic analysis to investigate graduate perceptions of the influence of the UK one-year Masters on their cultural capital, social capital and habitus. This study discovered that the UK one-year Masters programme went beyond a course experience, but a rich and profound humane experience of cultural values, international vision, intercultural communication and academic growth in a foreign country. As the participants said, it exceeded
expectations and triggered many ‘life sparks’. The experience in the UK Masters field influenced participants’ perceptions, aesthetics and values, enabling them to understand, identify and acclimate to the UK academic and cultural environment. In addition, participants denoted the accumulation of a rich interpersonal network that facilitated career development. Furthermore,
participants remarked that many habits developed during their UK Masters period persisted into their current life, work and study, such as respecting work-life balance. More interestingly, most participants chose to stay in the UK, or to return to the UK for a PhD or employment upon their return to China.

Date of Award	30 Nov 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Gemma Derrick (Supervisor)