Abstract:

Self-sponsorship in education is common, especially in postgraduate studies. Students from developing countries look for scholarships and government financial aid when applying for a postgraduate degree abroad. Unfortunately, not all these students get financial aid, so they choose self-sponsorship as a means of furthering their education for a better life. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect that self-sponsorship had, if any, on academic performance. This study used African and Asian international students from the University of Northampton International College as a focus group. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods to get data from these students by comparing the academic performance of self-sponsored students and students who have financial aid for their education. Students were given questionnaires and interviewed to ascertain their perception of schooling, grade performance and self-sponsorship. This research then used the analysis of these variables to conclude whether there is a significant impact on the academic performance of self-sponsored students. The result showed that there was no significant difference in the academic performance of students that are self-sponsored and students with financial support, especially among students of ethnic minorities. Instead, some of the students working part-time leveraged peer-to-peer support from students not working to achieve good academic grades. It was also discovered that students felt a sense of obligation to perform well in their academics due to their life goals and thus managed a work-school balance that affected their sleep and overall health and well-being but not their academic performance.

Keywords:

Ethnic Minorities, Award Gap, Attainment Gap, UK, HE.