Mthente has been commissioned by the International Academic Programmes Office at UCT to conduct a qualitative and quantitative review of the impact and value of the International Full Degree (IFD) programme at UCT, which has doubled in size in the last 10 years ago due the popularity of UCT as a study destination for international students.

Similar to Mthente’s recent review of IAPO’s Semester Study Abroad Programme, IAPO’s leadership wants to have a clear sense of the IFD programme’s value and impact – strategically, academically, socio-economically and in terms of its implications for UCT policy for recruitment, services, curriculum, research and internationalisation at home. Studies around the world have demonstrated the financial and academic benefits of hosting international students. However, IAPO wants to ensure that the IFD programme is aligned with the university’s strategic policies. Consultation is thus needed with professors, local students and other stakeholders who interact with international students and can comment on the impact and value of their presence at UCT.

Based on Mthente’s desktop research, the programme will benefit from being benchmarked against similar programmes at other universities in South Africa and across the world, with the aim to systematically examine best practice among universities that host large numbers of international students. In addition, hearing from past and present international students, through both qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys, will provide a basis for strategic decisions in IAPO, and in UCT more broadly.