An Evaluation of Levels of Adaptation Used in the Teaching of Foreign University Degree Programs in China

Many universities now deliver courses and programs in overseas markets such as China. Often these programs are delivered by foreign academics who teach in these overseas locations. This style and format of educational delivery raises the issue of the degree to which subject material and teaching styles need to be adapted to meet the needs of overseas markets. Using data collected from Chinese university students studying for foreign degree programs in various cities China, this research has found that students wanted only very minor, but still important, areas adaptation of subject materials and teaching styles. Their overall desire was to experience an educational experience that would approximate what they would experience if they studied abroad in the foreign university home campus. If there was a perception that the program had been adapted too much for the overseas market, students would reject it as being unauthentic and bogus. This was particularly important in view of the fact that they often ranked their student status and prestige on the perceived level of authenticity and status of the program. Therefore, the level of adaptation had to be subtle and very minor in nature. This research stands as a warning to universities which might seek to (in good faith) over-adapt programs for markets such as China in the mistaken belief that they are satisfying local needs.