A Study On The Transition Of The Government’s Role Of The International Student Education In UK Since The Full-cost Fee Policy

With the wave of internationalization of higher education sweeping the world,international student mobility has become a common phenomenon that cannot be ignored.How the government can reasonably position itself in international student education to occupy a favorable position in the fierce competition in the study abroad market has become an important issue of concern for countries.The UK was the first country in the world to introduce market mechanisms into international student education.The recruitment and training of international students were originally a matter of university autonomy in the UK.However,in the market-oriented reform of higher education in the 1980 s,the UK took the lead in using the recruitment of international students who paid full tuition fees as an important method to cope with financial difficulties.Now,the UK has become the second largest country in the world to study abroad after the United States,The role of the government in the development of international student education is becoming increasingly evident.This article raises the question of "How can the British government adjust its role positioning to influence the development of international student education since the full cost policy?" This provides a new perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the evolution logic of British international student education policies from the perspective of government roles,and provides useful thinking for the Chinese government to participate in international student education.This study adopts literature research and historical research methods.Based on the emergence of key government policies,the development of international student education in the UK after the full cost policy is divided into three stages: the period of active development of international student education(1980-1998),the period of vigorous development of international student education(1999-2009),and the period of standardized development of international student education(2010-present).The background of government role positioning in each stage is analyzed Based on the analysis framework of role structure theory,this paper discusses the performance of government role positioning from three dimensions:role concept,role norms,and role behavior.Based on the analysis of government policy behavior at different stages,it explores the underlying concepts and responsibilities.Finally,from a vertical perspective,it explores the characteristics of the entire process of government role transformation from the full cost policy of 1980 to the present.After research,this article draws three research conclusions.Firstly,since the full cost policy,the British government has successively played three roles: "guide","collaborator",and "coordinator".During the period of active development,the British government acted as a "guide",guided by the pursuit of economic interests,and through relaxing tuition standards and establishing scholarship programs,carried out macro regulation of international student education.It successfully guided universities and social organizations to actively explore the international market and introduced market mechanisms into international student education.The scale of international students has achieved significant development after a brief decline,and economic and social benefits have also begun to emerge.During the booming period,the British government played the role of a "collaborator",guided by the concept of expanding market share,and constructed a comprehensive policy framework for international student education through the national strategy-the "Prime Minister’s Initiative Plan".It directly participated in the competition in the international study abroad market,promoting the rapid expansion of the scale and various benefits of international student education.In the period of standardized development,the role of the British government has changed into a "coordinator".The government,guided by the concept of competing for outstanding talents,has launched three major international education strategies while strengthening supervision and tightening visas,and intervened to coordinate the contradiction between internationalism and national nationalism in education.The growth rate and satisfaction of international students’ education have been affected,but it has further promoted the standardized development of the British study abroad market;Secondly,from the perspective of changing trends,the leading role of the British government in international student education is becoming increasingly clear,manifested in the gradual emphasis on talent orientation,the gradual expansion of responsibilities,and the gradual enrichment of policy tools.The reasons for the formation of the role of government leaders include: the government’s own governing philosophy,the competitive situation in the international market,and the profound influence of international student education;Thirdly,the UK government has always had a role gap and has not played a sufficient role in educational equity,rights protection,and market stability,which will affect the long-term development of UK international student education.The UK government should further adjust its role to promote the return of the intrinsic value of UK international student education and its sustainable development in the future.