Umeå University first in Sweden for international student satisfaction
NEWS
Umeå University placed first in Sweden and fourth in Europe for international student satisfaction according to the latest International Student Barometer (ISB) survey. The questionnaire was responded by international students from 209 universities in the world during the autumn of 2014.
“It is very gratifying to observe that our international students have again provided evidence that we welcome them and attend to their needs so well,” says Anders Fällström, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Umeå University received the top satisfaction ranking in Sweden by international students. The university had the highest overall average rating in Sweden and fourth place in Europe when factoring all questions in the ISB 2014 Autumn Wave survey. In addition, the university's international students also indicated the highest satisfaction among the six participating institutions in Sweden in all four main categories - learning, living, student support, and arrival experience.
“In order for the study abroad experience for students to be outstanding, it is not only necessary that the education is of the highest quality, but all the practical and social aspects need to function well,” says Anders Fällström. “The ISB findings demonstrate that our administrative units, libraries, departments and faculties are working effectively so that we strongly succeed in all these areas. We can be extremely proud about this.”
When measured against all participating institutions, Umeå University was first in Sweden in a total of 23 sub-categories, and first in Europe for sport facilities and accommodation office upon arrival. Umeå’s international students had a particularly high satisfaction rate in the questions regarding learning support, language support, class size, making new friends and IT support.
“In addition to the years of experience our staff brings to the table, I think an important aspect to these results has been our ability to work successfully together with other departments at the university and with organizations and individuals in the community to ensure our international students can experience everything that Umeå University and Umeå can offer,” says Greg Neely, International Office Director.
Areas in need of improvement include the ability to gain work experience and opening a bank account.
“As pleased as we are with the results, we are continually working to improve in all areas of internationalisation as well as finding new, innovative approaches to lifting the university’s international profile,” continues Greg Neely.
The other institutions that participated in the autumn 2014 ISB are: Chalmers University of Technology, Jönköping University, Karolinska Institute, Linköping University and Linnaeus University.
The International Student Barometer 2014 Autumn Wave 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 164,863 students from 209 institutions in 18 countries responded to the International Student Barometer during October to December 2014.
For further information, please contact:
Anders Fällström, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University E-mail: anders.fallstrom@umu.se Mobile: +46 070-493 85 27
Greg Neely, International Office Director, Umeå University E-mail: greg.neely@umu.se Phone: +46 (0)90-786 97 52
