Senate Office


International student barometer

What is the ISB?

The International Student Barometer (ISB) is an online survey conducted by an independent external research company.  The company emails international students studying at the University of Glasgow and invites them to complete an on-line questionnaire twice a year, in the autumn and then in the summer.

Around 60-90 other universities in the UK, and a smaller number in other countries, typically take part in the ISB.  As well as giving information on what students at Glasgow have said, the survey results also show how their answers compare to the answers given by international students at other universities.  All the results are anonymised and the University does not know what any individual student has said in the survey.

What are the latest results from the ISB?

The most recent survey was conducted in Summer 2009 with 95 universities taking part. The main findings are shown below.

  • 83% of international students at the University of Glasgow would recommend the University to other people. This compares to 79% of international students as the average for the Scottish universities in the ISB, and 78% in the survey as a whole.
  • The survey asks questions that are divided into broad categories: the Learning Experience, the Living Experience, Support for Learning and Overall Satisfaction.  Students were asked a single overall satisfaction question on each of the broad areas with the following results:-

Learning Experience  87% of students were satisfied

Living Experience  89% of students were satisfied

Support Experience  93% of students were satisfied

Overall Satisfaction  90% of students were satisfied

These results compare well with the other universities in the ISB survey. Among the University's highest-rated areas are:-

  • the expertise of lecturers and the quality of their spoken/written English
  • the multi-cultural environment
  • sports facilities and internet access
  • the International Office and visa advice
  • the range of clubs and societies.

What has the University done with the results to make improvements?

  • The University values the comments students make through the ISB and other student surveys.  A small group of staff working in Student Services arranged a follow-up survey to explore feedback in the Summer 2009 ISB relating to student services. This follow-up survey was launched in February 2010 and several respondents expressed interest in taking part in one-to-one interviews which will help when adjustments to student services are considered in future.  Once any issues have been identified, an action plan will be produced to address them. If you are a student from outside the UK and would like to know more, please e-mail Mr Neil Campbell, the Director of Campus Services at N.Campbell@admin.gla.ac.uk.
  • One of the areas where students have been less satisfied than with other aspects of their experience has been with internet access from university residential accommodation.  In summer 2008, a major upgrade was carried out to provide 10 times more bandwidth than previously, bringing faster access now as well as leaving capacity for future growth.
  • Student apartment accommodation (as distinct from Halls) was not previously provided with internet access.  This was installed in summer 2007 and has also benefited from the recent performance upgrade.
  • The University catering service on campus was extensively revised in 2006, with a much wider range offered and accreditation gained from the Vegan Society, the Vegetarian Society, Eat Scotland and Fairtrade.  This has attracted many more international students to use the facilities.
  • Welcome and Arrival processes was reviewed in 2007-08 to make them more streamlined and effective.
  • Job search and career planning seminars specifically for international students were introduced in 2006-07 and expanded in 2007-08.  The seminars have also been complemented by online resources and the provision of a Careers Adviser for international students.