Survey focuses on the international student experience
International students at Sussex will have an opportunity to let the University know what they think about their experience at Sussex so far as part of the world’s largest student survey.
The International Student Barometer (ISB) is an online questionnaire run by i-graduate, an independent research company. With feedback from over 2 million students worldwide across all student types, levels and years of study, the ISB is the leading benchmarking tool used to track the international student experience. It tracks and compares decision-making, expectations, perceptions and intentions of international students from application to graduation.
The survey focuses on four main elements of the international student experience: arrival, learning, living and support - with results used by the University to identify any areas for improvement and to help shape future decisions. i-graduate compare and benchmark Sussex’s results against other universities in the UK and overseas.
Sussex has participated in the ISB on several occasions in the past (most recently in autumn 2012). Based on past results, International Student Support, who co-ordinate the survey at Sussex, have improved a number of services including:
- Introduced a free airport meet-and-greet service for new students arriving during the main autumn arrival weekend
- Enhanced the welcome programme for new international students, to include a reception at Brighton Dome
- Developed better relationships with local banks to try and help new students set up bank accounts
- Increased the number of visa advisers and offered a wider range of options for students who need visa advice
- Shared feedback with support services across the University including Housing Services, Careers & Employability Centre, the Library, and Finance, as well as the schools.
The ISB is open to all international and EU (non UK) students at all levels (undergraduate and postgraduate) and years of study. All eligible students will receive an email invitation from next week (week beginning 19 October).
Those taking part will be entered into i-graduate’s prize draw to win £1,000 or a donation to charity. In addition, Sussex will be offering an Apple i-Pad mini for the winner of its own prize draw.
The survey will close on 27 November 2015.
"The schools have been very supportive and are encouraging their international students to complete the survey," said Sara Dyer, Head of International Student Support.
"Once the results are collated, schools and professional services covered by the survey will have access to a data visualisation tool which will enable them to drill them into the data to dermine how different student groups responded."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Mackie said, “The International Student Barometer is invaluable to help us identify what it is that our international students like about Sussex but also, more importantly, the feedback lets us see the areas of frustration where things are not working so well.
"We can take the necessary action to ensure that we are continuously improving the student experience for everyone.”