Derby's International Experience Goes From Strength To Strength
10 January 2011
International students enjoying life in Derby
We always strive to provide the best education and living experience for all of our students and it's good to know that our international visitors are enjoying their time here at the University.
”Aileen Hammersley, Director of the University's School of Flexible and Partnership Learning
International students are increasingly satisfied with their experiences of living and studying in Derby according to the results of a recent independent survey.
The survey of 238 international students at the University of Derby - the International Student Barometer carried out by i-graduate - asked the students about their experience of the University's programmes and facilities, and how much they enjoyed living in the city.
The responses from 2010 were compared to 2009 and also to the responses of the 4,444 international students of 12 other UK universities who make up the Million+ group of universities.
The results showed that Derby's international students, who come from countries all over the world including India, China, Nigeria and Poland, were very satisfied with their overall experience (an overall satisfaction score of 88%). The results put Derby in the top five of the Million+ group for many aspects of its international students' living experiences including accommodation cost, safety and transport.*
The international students also rated the University highly for employability, careers advice and course content, its faith provision and student health centre. The University's International Student Centre was ranked top among the Million+ group with a 94.1% satisfaction rating.*
Aileen Hammersley, Director of the University's School of Flexible and Partnership Learning said: "The results from this survey are very pleasing. We always strive to provide the best education and living experience for all of our students and it's good to know that our international visitors are enjoying their time here at the University and in Derby.
"We plan to use the feedback from the survey to address any concerns and build on this success in the future."
Weronika Kawalek, 24, from Poland, who graduates with a BA (Hons) in Dance and Movement Studies and Healing Arts from the University of Derby at its Awards Ceremonies on January 22 and has been asked to give a Vote of Thanks, said: "I loved being a dance student in Derby, and made many friends through my course.
"Being an international student can be hard as you have to get used to a new culture and a new way of life as well as studying, but I enjoyed my experience and would do the same again."
For more information on studying at the University of Derby visit website www.derby.ac.uk/international
*Results
- Employability (rank 2 Million+ group 78.2%)
- Careers advice (rank 5 in Million+ group 60.9%)
- Course content (rank 5 in Million+ group 84.3%)
- International Student Centre (rank 1 in Million+ group 94.1%)
- Faith provision (rank 1 in Million+ group 95.9%)
- Health centre (rank 2 in Million+ group 89. 7%)
- Accommodation cost (rank 5 in Million+ group, 58.3%)
- Safety (rank 5 in Million+ group 86.1%)
- Transport links to university (rank 4 Million+ group 85.9%)
