Research Project Explores the Chinese Alumni Experience
The Manchester China Institute (MCI) awarded Lorelei Baciu and Jennie Li a joint travel grant to research how their experience at the University of Manchester (UoM) shapes the lives of its Chinese alumni.
The University of Manchester (UoM) is currently home to nearly 9,000 students from mainland China 91ÖÆƬ³§” by far the largest international student cohort on campus. Many of these students return to China after obtaining their degrees, contributing to a growing alumni network there. Today, more than 46,000 UoM alumni live and work in mainland China. However, despite the size and significance of this alumni community, little research has been done on how their experiences at UoM influence their long-term life trajectories.
enabled Lorelei and Jennie to conduct fieldwork in China during the Summer of 2024, investigating the experiences of Chinese alumni and the lasting impact of their UoM student years. Both researchers are UoM alumni themselves: Lorelei, now the Engagement and External Relations Administrator at MCI, holds a First-Class BA in Social Sciences (Politics and Sociology), while Jennie, former Manchester-China Friendship Programme Lead (MCFP), has an MA in Educational Leadership with Distinction.
Together, they conducted in-person bilingual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with UoM Chinese alumni from Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, and Xi91ÖÆƬ³§™an. These in-depth qualitative conversations traced the impact of the UoM student journey, from enrolment through graduation and into the current lives of the alumni.
Those interviewed varied in gender, degree subject, study level, graduation year, occupation, and location to increase representation across the Chinese alumni population. They also belonged to five UoM schools, and were mainly Master's and PhD graduates, reflecting typical Chinese study patterns in the UK. Graduation years ranged from 2015 to 2023, covering participants at different career stages, working across higher education, business management, arts and culture, sales, engineering, and hi-tech research.
Several key insights emerged regarding the alumni91ÖÆƬ³§™s academic journeys, personal growth, career trajectories, and suggestions for institutional improvement (detailed ). Most participants were initially drawn to UoM for its global prestige and cultural ties to the UK. While they praised the academic quality and supportive teaching staff, many noted unmet expectations around cultural integration. The high concentration of Chinese students often led to self-segregation and missed opportunities to build meaningful relationships with local and international peers.
One MA graduate in Intercultural Communications (2022-23), now an IELTS English Teacher in Xi91ÖÆƬ³§™an shared:
I wanted to experience different cultures. I wanted to see the world. But it turned out to be me staying with Chinese people; hanging out with Chinese groups. So that is a little bit of a pity for me.
Despite these challenges, many developed valuable life skills and a greater sense of independence while at UoM, prompting shifts in their identity, worldview, and values. Participants felt empowered to express themselves more freely, challenging traditional Chinese norms and supporting new social causes. These experiences left lasting impressions, even as they returned to China (often due to immigration barriers and familial obligations).
Several struggled to reconcile their more globalised perspectives with the expectations back home, particularly around gender roles, life milestones, and workplace behaviours. One PhD graduate in Engineering (2017-20), now Associate Professor at Central South University, noted:
After returning to China, I encouraged my students to express their ideas, no matter how immature they might seem. [...] My teaching style now is more inclusive, slightly different from locally trained PhDs, with tolerance for new ideas.
Participants also offered constructive feedback for the University, calling for stronger intercultural engagement, career development tailored to international students, and deeper academic mentorship. One MSc graduate in Communication Engineering (2016-17), now working for Ericsson Beijing as a RF Verification Engineer shared:
In lab sessions or in interactions with professors, there91ÖÆƬ³§™s a sense of superficiality. What I'm suggesting is to increase academic communications and provide students with more opportunities to participate in the college91ÖÆƬ³§™s work, such as helping professors organise materials and increasing face-to-face interactions with them.
Beyond the classroom, participants recommended expanding initiatives like language-buddy schemes and more proactive use of Chinese social media. Their voices highlight both the transformative potential of a UoM education and the gaps still needing to be bridged for a truly inclusive student experience.