Factors affecting new students’ sense of belonging and wellbeing at university

Yong, Min Hooi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4669-7013, Chikwa, Gladson ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8707-8147 and Rehman, Javairia (2025) Factors affecting new students’ sense of belonging and wellbeing at university. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. pp. 1-14. ISSN 1470-3297

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Abstract

A higher sense of belonging has been shown to be associated with general wellbeing among students, and its benefits are known to relate to academic and post-academic successes. Yet, we know little about newly enrolled students’ lived experience that links sense of belonging and wellbeing. This small-scale qualitative study (n = 8) showed that an interplay of factors including academic, social, surroundings, and personal space influence new students’ sense of belonging and wellbeing at university and within the discipline. Specifically, our findings revealed that undergraduate and postgraduate (home and international) students have different experiences depending on demographic characteristics, such as age, gender as well as socio-economic factors. Further details revealed that enhanced student support is needed to ensure that different groups of students’ needs are addressed in an inclusive manner.