University news

International students have given the University of Glasgow one of the best scores in the UK as part of a survey of student satisfaction.

The University hit a 91.6 per cent satisfaction rating – higher than the UK average of 86.9 per cent. And unusually, overseas students at Glasgow are happier the longer they are here.

The results come from the Summer 2010 International Student Barometer (ISB) survey.

Ranked first in many categories, Glasgow performed very strongly against other international, UK and Scottish institutions as well as the leading UK group of Russell Group universities.

The survey, which is the largest of its kind, canvasses international students’ views on the teaching, services and the overall experience of their chosen university. The summer survey captures students who have completed their courses and are looking to further studies or employment.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Senior Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “The feedback from students canvassed in the ISB is hugely positive and encouraging for everyone at the University.

“The high rankings reflect a commitment to quality across the campus which is evidently appreciated by our international students who rightly expect a first-class education and experience at Glasgow.

“We will continue to listen to feedback from our students and to improve even further what we provide and offer to all of our students to ensure the University of Glasgow is a first choice study destination.”

The summer 2010 survey compared Glasgow against 59 international universities, 44 UK institutions, 10 Russell Group universities, and seven Scottish institutions.

Amongst the Russell Group, the university ranked number one in the following categories: library, ‘good teachers’, technology, learning spaces, learning support, sports facilities, ‘good place to be’, social facilities, visa advice, finance office, and disability support.

Glasgow was ranked as first in Scotland and in the Russell Group as a ‘good place to be’ with a rating of 96.3 per cent. Sports facilities were ranked as the best in the UK at 93.2 per cent.

The survey also revealed that 86% of international students would recommend Glasgow as a study destination to their friends and 10% wish to stay on for further study,

Satisfaction with the University’s support services largely increased in the summer exit survey, compared to the autumn entry survey when students have just joined their institutions.

In fact, the University largely bucks the general trend for exit surveys to be less favourable then entry surveys, demonstrating students become even happier with Glasgow the longer they are here.

Students also made positive comments about the city and Scotland, praising the culture, activities and overall experience of Glasgow, the country and its people.

The UK saw a general overall increase in satisfaction levels from last year with 88 per cent of students happy with their experience (up one per cent) and 79 per cent saying they would recommend the UK to other students (up one per cent).

The survey is conducted by i-graduate International Insight Group and is used by 270 higher education institutions around the world.

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For more information contact Stuart Forsyth in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 4831 or email s.forsyth@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 15 October 2010