NEWS The results of the 2016 International Student Barometer (ISB) are evident – yet again Umeå University receives top marks by international students. ISB is a survey measuring student satisfaction regarding studies and everyday life at the University and in the city they live.
This year’s survey had student respondents from 182 higher education institutions around the world, including 12 from Sweden. Out of the 1,300 international students at Umeå University, around 40 per cent participated in the 2016 International Student Barometer.
The survey is split into four main categories: Learning, Living, Support and Arrival, and covers a number of subcategories.
Among the participating Swedish higher education institutions, Umeå University takes a leading position in:
“In this round, more Swedish higher education institutions participated than previous, which makes the result even more interesting. We are really pleased about still getting top marks in several categories that are important in making the students’ stay as great as possible," says Greg Neely, Head of the International Office.
"For instance, we have year after year been ranked highly in the social activities categories, which we believe is based upon having a well-developed mentorship programme, the Buddy Programme. It helps our international students get to know each other better and also get acquainted with the Swedish culture,” continues Greg Neely.
In the main category Learning, the University takes a third place in Sweden and a fifth place in Europe (among 65 higher education institutions). In the subcategory Learning support, Umeå University holds a first place in Sweden and in Europe, and a second place in the world.
“We are really proud of these results. Umeå University has participated in the ISB since 2009 and we have had positive and steady results ever since. But we also see that there are areas in which the support for students could be improved, this goes for instance for career advice and work experience,” says Heidi Hansson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for internationalisation and equal opportunities.
The overall average of all elements in the four sections puts Umeå University at third place in Sweden and fifth place in Europe.
The other Swedish universities that participated in the autumn 2016 ISB were: Chalmers University of Technology, Jönköping University, Karolinska Institutet, Linköping University, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Mid Sweden University, Stockholm University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University.
On 14 March, the higher education institutions will meet at Stockholm University for a joint workshop. This workshop will cover best practices but also areas where Swedish higher education institutions perform at a substandard in comparison to other higher education institutions in the survey.
Read more: International students give Umeå University top marks
The autumn 2016 ISB survey was developed and administered by the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate) – which is an independent benchmark and research service.
www.i-graduate.org/services/international-student-barometer/
Greg Neely, Head of the International OfficePhone: +46 90–786 97 52
Email: greg.neely@umu.se
Heidi Hansson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for internationalisation and equal opportunitiesPhone: +46 90–786 56 49
Email: heidi.hansson@umu.se
Editor: Anna Lawrence