NEWS The students that responded to the questionnaire are very satisfied with the quality of education, course content and teachers. The IKSU Sport fitness facility, International Housing Office and social activities at the university were also ranked highly.
Umeå University received a second place ranking in Sweden and fourth place in Europe in regards to which university are appreciated best by international students according to the International Student Barometer, a questionnaire conducted at 16 Swedish universities and a total of 203 European universities.
“It is absolutely fantastic to see how satisfied students are with their studies and stay at Umeå University,” says Per A. Nilsson, Director of the International Office at Umeå University. “We are very proud of the results, even though the questionnaire also shows that we need to further develop in certain areas.”
Umeå University received top marks in all categories: learning, living, support and arrival acceptance. The university was also perceived as a highly multicultural environment. Umeå University received the highest scores of all participating universities in Sweden in categories including: course content, internet access, sport facilities, host programme, counselling and orientation.
| Category | Satisfaction % | Sweden Rank |
| Overall Satisfaction | 91% | 2nd |
| Learning Overall | 87% | 2nd |
| Course Content | 90% | 1st |
| Living Overall | 87% | 2nd |
| Sport Facilities | 86% | 1st |
| Social Activities | 82% | 1st |
| Host Friends | 69% | 1st |
| Support Overall | 89% | 1st |
| Accomodation Office | 92% | 1st |
| Counselling | 90% | 1st |
| Arrival | ||
| Internet Access | 92% | 1st |
| Accomodation Office | 91% | 1st |
| University Orientation | 88% | 1st |
| Host Friends | 73% | 1st |
“It is very satisfying even if the results of certain sub-categories show that we, like most Swedish universities, need to improve in providing career advice and help promote part-time employment opportunities to help provide students with extra income," says Anders Fällström , Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Umeå University.
“We also understand that we need to continue working on how we welcome our students on the first day they arrive in Umeå. The first impression is always important for the continued total impression," adds Per A. Nilsson.
The sub-categories in which Umeå University received the lowest scores were in transportation links to and from Umeå the availability of worship facilities.
Per A. Nilsson believes that one of the reasons why international students are so happy is the Buddy Programme, which is a service that all international students have the opportunity to participate in. It offers variety of group activities such as sports, social events and travel, or just having a cup of coffee with fellow group members.
“It makes it easier for international students to have contact with other students on campus,” says Per A. Nilsson. “I think it is an important reason why we received a high ranking by students, but also that they are overall very satisfied with the quality of courses and degree programmes.”
The survey was developed and administered by the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate) and has been responded by exchange students and other international students. A total of 138,000 students participated in the International Student Barometer survey.
Higher education institutions in Sweden were ranked generally high. The positive factors that came forward are that Sweden that is a safe and secure country to live in, the educational and research quality is high, and that the people are friendly. The weaknesses are that it is difficult to get part-time jobs and career advice.
The survey also showed that 78 per cent of the students chose which country they wanted to go to first, and then which specific university they wanted to study at. The most decisive reason for their selections were recommendations from friends, the university's website, Study in Sweden website and testimonials from current students.
Per A. Nilsson Director of the International Office
Email: per.nilsson@adm.umu.se Phone: +46 (0)90-786 68 66
Mobile: +46 (0)70-236 62 30
Anders Fällström Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education
Email: anders.fallstrom@adm.umu.se
Mobile: + 46(0)70-493 85 27
Photo: Andreas Nilsson
Editor: David Meyers