10 December 2012

Dundee hits top spot in International Student Barometer

The University of Dundee has been ranked number one in the most recent International Student Barometer (ISB) Survey.

Dundee came first in the Summer 2012 Wave of the ISB, which examines the experiences of students studying at universities in countries other than their own. It follows the University also coming top in the Times Higher Education's Student Experience Survey earlier this year.

Responses to the ISB survey were gathered from 53 institutions in seven countries. This includes 41 UK universities, of which seven are Scottish.

It is independently administered for the University by the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate.org). The ISB takes place across two 'waves', one in summer and one in autumn. The Summer Wave survey examined three main aspects of the university experience - Learning, Living, and Support.

Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, welcomed the survey, saying, "Making a difference not just locally or nationally but internationally is a vital part of the University's mission, and this survey helps illustrate why students from around the world choose to come here.

"It is especially pleasing to see us ranked top for so many elements related to the learning experience. I am also delighted to see the results reflect the friendly welcome our international students receive and the ease with which they fit into life in Dundee.

"As well as our international students benefitting from their experience in Dundee, they also enrich the experience of all our students from Scotland and elsewhere in the UK."

This latest survey saw the University's ranked top across the entire ISB for the following elements:

• Subject area expertise of lecturers/ supervisors.
• Getting time from academic staff when I need it/ personal support with learning.
• Teaching ability of lecturers/supervisors.
• Quality of lectures.
• Guidance in topic selection and refinement by my supervisor.
• Social facilities.
• Making good contacts for the future.
• Cost of living.
• Students' Union.
• University clubs/societies.

The ISB has gathered feedback from 630,000 students since its inception in 2005. The University is currently participating in the Student Barometer Survey Autumn (Entry) Wave 2012. For the first time, UK students are also included in the survey, and all on-campus students have been asked to participate.

This will also include questions on students' Arrival experience as well as Learning, Living and Support. The results will be published in February 2013.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277