What you told us
Top insights*
Nearly 90% of students (88%) believe that the University greets them well, however only a third (35%) feel really integrated as part of the University.
The primary challenges to students’ feedback being heard are not knowing how to feedback, along with communication barriers.
More than 4 in 5 students want to be involved in the University’s decision-making around climate change policies and practices.
Only around half of students (55%) find it easy to navigate between support services.
English language and study skills are the most well received targeted support, whilst there is a need for more support with making a home in the UK.
*(footnote; source: the University’s International Student Experience online survey Feb-March 2024, 519 respondents.)
Equality and diversity
“…giving society members, committee members, training on how to deal with students from intersectional identities better would definitely go a long way.”
Sentoash
Aspects of their experience that makes our international students feel part of the University.*
0%
Events and extra-curricular activities.
0%
Clubs, societies and sports.
0%
Friendly university community.
(*Top 3 in The University’s International Student Experience Survey 2024, based on 332 comments.)
Summary of findings
- It’s important that we showcase and represent diverse student groups throughout the University.
- There is huge support for, and value in, intercultural exchange – events and activities that promote experiencing and understanding of different cultures.
- Organised events, such as welcome week, cultural events and the International Cafés are important in making students feel included.
- Challenges experienced by our international students include language barriers, not knowing who to contact for help, and the need for more inclusive ways for students to give feedback on their experience.
Student voice
“When I had given some feedback, I could see immediate effect, immediate change in the next month itself. So that was something that I really enjoyed, to see that action was being taken.”
Bhumika
What are the barriers to international students’ feedback being heard?
0%
Knowing when, where and how to give feedback.
0%
Communication issues (language and accents).
0%
Cultural differences (what’s acceptable and appropriate).
0%
Perception that feedback won’t make a difference.
(*Top 3 in The University’s International Student Experience Survey 2024, based on 245 comments.)
Summary of findings
- Our international students want to help shape and co create services to meet their needs, in particular career-focused support.
- International students don’t feel as represented, or visible amongst student leadership. There is a call for more events focussed on international students and education on diverse cultures.
- It’s not always clear to international students how to give their feedback or get involved in student voice.
- Communication barriers are one of the main challenges to students’ feedback being heard.
- There’s a perception amongst some students that feedback is not effectively acted upon.
Sustainability
0%
Everyday actions - recycling, litter-picking, saving water, saving energy.
0%
Events, debates, discussions and workshops.
0%
Don’t know how to get involved.
(*Top 3 in The University’s International Student Experience Survey 2024, based on 203 comments.)
Summary of findings
- It’s important that we integrate sustainability into the University curriculum and operations, and involve students in the decision-making processes.
- There’s a need for support addressing climate change anxiety amongst students.
- Students aren’t aware of many sustainable practices on campus and opportunities to be involved in sustainable initiatives.
- Everyday actions like recycling, litter-picking and saving water are the Climate Change activities students are most interested in.
- They highlighted a need for more actionable changes to meet the University’s net-zero targets.
Support services
Support services our students find most easy to access*
0%
English language support.
0%
Students’ Guild support (Exeter).
0%
Study skills support.
0%
Students’ Union support (Cornwall).
(*Top ‘% easy + very easy’ responses to ‘How easy has it been to access the following support services?’ in the University’s International Student Experience Strategy 2024, excluding ‘have not used’.)
Summary of findings
- Students shared positive experiences with many of our support services including digital and technology services, academic support, wellbeing, career development, and international student support.
- Improvement is needed to the accessibility, availability, and responsiveness of some of our services, including accommodation, careers appointments, multi-faith spaces and the diversity of our food outlets on campus.
- There are some areas where awareness of our services is low amongst students and we should consider ways to more effectively promote these to our international communities.
- The cost of living and learning is high for international students, and we should be mindful of this in considering the support we offer and pricing of facilities and services.
Targeted support
“Maybe there can be more one-to-one appointments in international student support … I want to ask for a little bit about my career and my visa … since in the Intercultural Café they are busy with talking to other people.”
Guo Wenhao
Support services; what more the University could be doing*
0%
More financial support, scholarships and lower fees.
0%
Improved career support, for jobs, internships and work during studies.
0%
Help settling in, during pre-arrival and arrival.
(*Top 3 in the University’s International Student Experience Strategy 2024, based on 201 comments.)
Summary of findings
- Our international students value the support they receive that is targeted to their specific needs, and enjoy inclusive social events such as the Intercultural Café.
- We need to make sure our support services are inclusive of all cultures, transparent and accessible, making it clear about what can be accessed for free and being mindful of the stigma attached to some support such as wellbeing.
- Financial support, careers support and more information around arrival, were the top areas that students sought more assistance.
- Students would like to see more practical support to help them while they live and study here, such as cooking and budgeting workshops, and advice on navigating the UK.