Press release

Dundee among world’s best for international student satisfaction

Published on 15 February 2019

The University of Dundee has recorded one of the highest scores in the latest International Student Barometer (ISB)

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With feedback from over 3 million students worldwide across all student types, levels and years of study, the ISB is the world's largest annual survey of international students.

The results of ISB’s Autumn 2018 survey show overall average satisfaction of 89.6% among Dundee students, the highest score of any participating Scottish universities, 2nd in the UK and 6th globally. A total of 199 institutions participated in the ISB 2018, significantly more than the 120 who took part the year before. Forty-four UK institutions took part, up from 31 in 2017.

Dundee had the highest score globally for ‘University Clubs and Societies’, and 2nd highest for ‘Enquiry Centre and Library Service’. Factors relating to Living, Support and Arrival were also identified as being particular strengths of the experience Dundee offers its international students.

Wendy Alexander, Vice-Principal of International, said, “In a year when participation rates rose enormously we are delighted to have once again recorded such an excellent score at the top end of the International Student Barometer.

“This feedback demonstrates how we prepare and support our international students to assimilate to life in a new country quickly. Making them feel truly welcome when they are miles from home is always foremost in our minds.

“Embarking on a degree in another country is often the biggest investment an international student and their family will make in decades so we are proud to offer a first-class experience that helps the world’s brightest and best students fulfil their future ambitions.”

Civil Engineering student Hakim Manan is one of the thousands of international students who now call Dundee home. He grew up in Malaysia hearing about Dundee from a very young age so when it came to choosing a university he was in no doubt where he wanted to study.

“My father graduated from Dundee and was always talking about his time here and the friends he made,” said Hakim. “As well as his great memories we could see from his career that it prepared him well for the professional world.

“For me, Dundee is a very good size. Everything is close at hand and the pace of life is relaxed. Everyone is very friendly and even though the city is small there is always lots to do. Having support is important when you first arrive in a new country. I’m very lucky in that everyone has been so friendly in Dundee and through things like the University’s Malaysian Society and joining the Futsal club my circle of friends has expanded.”

The ISB is the leading benchmarking tool used to track the international student experience. It is independently administered for universities by the International Graduate Insight Group.

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Press Office, University of Dundee

press@dundee.ac.uk