The study aims at providing better knowledge of international students' experience of studying at Stockholm University. In total, 433 international students at Stockholm University answered the questionnaire survey conducted in the autumn of 2016. The questions concern education, reception, career support, education quality, study environment and more.

In Sweden, 12 universities participated, which allowed benchmarking against other Swedish institutions: Chalmers, Gothenburg University, Jönköping University, Karolinska Institutet, Linköping University, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Mid Sweden University, Stockholm University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå University and Uppsala University.

Stockholm University participated in the survey 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016. In total, 159,959 international students participated from 196 universities in 17 countries in this year's survey.

Development work gives positive results

This year's survey shows that work aimed at developing activities targeting international students gives positive results. Among other things, the development work regarding welcome and orientation has shown positive figures in relation to previous years.

Other important information that the survey provides include:

  • Stockholm is important in the choice of study destination
  • Educational programmes and the university's reputation are also important
  • The website is the first source of information when students apply for admission to the university
  • The probability of recommending the university has increased among master's students
  • Efforts to improve the welcome and orientation services have yielded positive results
  • The university should continue to work on factors that affect the experience – our former students are our ambassadors
  • Career service and connections to the labour market can be developed
  • Housing is important for international students
  • The experience of the university's campus, educational environments, premises such as laboratories and study environment and teacher interaction are overall positive
  • Performance feedback and questions about how the grading system works show lower results. More information about our rating criteria increases the understanding of what is required from our students.

Workshops for staff

During spring the External Relations and Communications Office organised in collaboration with the Student Services Office a series of workshops discussing how the University can improve its services and work towards international students. The workshops addressed issues regarding communication, application process, orientation, and career and alumni relations. On 15 November a follow-up workshop will be held, please sign up here if you would like to participate: https://form.jotformeu.com/72781283719365. All staff members are welome, even if you have not participated in the previous workshops.