Umeå University ranked 1st in International Student Satisfaction - Again!
International students at Umeå University have spoken and are being heard loud and clear that they are the most satisfied in Sweden with their overall experience for the second consecutive year.
Top satisfaction ranking in many categories
Umeå University received a first place overall average ranking in Sweden* in regards to which higher education institution is appreciated best by international students according to the International Student Barometer, a questionnaire conducted at a total of 193 universities in 14 countries (including 9 in Sweden) in autumn 2012. Umeå University also had the highest satisfaction ranking in Sweden in for the ISB survey given in autumn 2011.
Furthermore, Umeå University received the highest marks of all participating universities in the world for its sports facilities and support staff helpfulness, second best for campus environment and internet access, and third place for physical library, eco-friendly attitude, home friends, accomodation office and orientation.
| Category | Satisfaction % | Sweden Rank | Global Rank (Top 10) | European Rank |
| LEARNING AVERAGE** | 85% | 1st | 4th | |
| Physical Library | 94% | 1st | 3rd | 3rd |
| Virtual Learning | 93% | 1st | 2nd | |
| Laboratories | 93% | 1st | 4th | 3rd |
| LIVING AVERAGE** | 80% | 1st | 7th | 3rd |
| Sport Facilities | 91% | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Home Friends | 91% | 1st | 3rd | 2nd |
| Internet Access | 89% | 1st | 2nd | 2nd |
| Good Contacts | 82% | 1st | 9th | 3rd |
| Social Facilities | 81% | 1st | 2nd | |
| Host Friends | 75% | 1st | 4th | |
| Accomodation Cost | 64% | 1st | 9th | |
| SUPPORT OVERALL*** | 92% | 1st | 10th | 2nd |
| International Office | 95% | 1st | 8th | 2nd |
| Support Staff Helpfulness | 93% | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Accomodation Office | 88% | 1st | 3rd | 1st |
| ARRIVAL AVERAGE** | 80% | 2nd | 7th | |
| Study Sense | 85% | 1st | 1st | |
| Social Activities | 84% | 1st | 3rd | 1st |
| Accomodation Office | 80% | 1st | 3rd | |
| Host Friends | 91% | 1st | 3rd | |
| OVERALL SATISFACTION (AVERAGE)** | 84% | 1st | 3rd |
*Umeå University had the highest overall average score in Sweden when factoring all questions included in the ISB survey, which can be seen as the most accurate indicator of overall student satisfaction.
**Average of all question elements asked in the relevant section.
***A single question where respondents are asked to rate their overall experience for support before seeing any of the elements, e.g. “Overall, how satisfied are you with the SUPPORT at this stage in the year?”
About the International Student Barometer
The ISB survey was developed and administered by the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate) - an independent benchmarking and research service - and has been responded by exchange students and other international students. A total of 161,781 students from 193 institutions in 14 countries participated in the International Student Barometer survey during October to December of 2012.
