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Survey focuses on 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.

International Student Barometer survey flyerThe International Student Barometer (ISB for short) is an online questionnaire run by i-graduate an independent research company. With feedback from over 2.5 million students worldwide across all student types, levels and years of study, the ISB is considered the leading benchmarking tool used to evaluate the international student experience. It tracks and compares the 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. The results are then analysed by i-graduate who compare and benchmark Sussex’s results against other universities in the UK and overseas. This information is then used by the University to help determine areas where changes are needed.

A number of improvements have been made as a direct result of feedback from last year’s ISB.

For example, IT Services have been working hard to improve internet access on campus: WiFi in the residences has been upgraded with modern high speed access points (more than 1,200 were replaced before the start of this academic year and a ‘pop up’ helpdesk was offered in Northfield over the welcome weekend).

Opening a bank account was also identified as an area of concern in 2015, and this autumn, for the first time, students were able to request a bank letter as part of on-line registration, and International Student Support (who co-ordinate the ISB) worked with local bank branches to try to make the process as easy as possible.

The ISB, which is endorsed by the Students’ Union, 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 24 October). Those taking part will be entered into i-graduate’s prize draw to win £1,000 or donation to charity. In addition, Sussex will be offering an Apple i-Pad mini for the winner of its own prize draw.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), 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, so that we can take the necessary action to ensure that we are continuously improving the student experience for everyone.”