Producing the Impact of WhatsApp Usage on International Students in Higher Education in Britain

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of WhatsApp usage on academic performance of international students in universities in the UK. The study objectives were: To examine the extent of WhatsApp usage among international students for academic purposes; to determine the relationship between WhatsApp usage and international students’ academic performance; and to propose recommendations to international students in the UK for improving academic performance through WhatsApp usage. This study used a quantitative approach and the data was collected through a self-reporting close-ended online questionnaire from 45 international higher education students enrolled in four universities in the UK (The University of Manchester, The University of Sheffield, The University of Leeds and The University of Nottingham). The findings revealed that WhatsApp messenger is a helpful application for international higher education students’ academic activities. However, they need to take care while using it so as not get distracted from their studies and waste their time.