1. International Students report
01/07/16
Sarah Fowler

2. This report looks at students’ thoughts on the topic of How did we do
This report looks at students’ thoughts on the topic of How did we do? For the academic year of 15/16.
International students includes students living in the EU and outside of the EU, with 28% saying they were from EU territories, and 71% saying they were from outside the EU.
In total the survey received 1391 responses, this report will focus on the 366 international student responses, and directly compare them to all students
Introduction

3. Q1 Please tell us about yourself – What is your age?
Int. students
all students
These results show that there are more international students over the age of 21, at 65%. Compared to the student population as a whole which is made up on a majority of students aged at 61%.
This suggests that there is a higher population of post graduate / mature students in the international student group.
This was also reflected in the number of students who are parents, with 3% for all students, and 9% for international students.
Q1 Please tell us about yourself – What is your age?

4. Of the students who respondent to this survey:
Gender:
Neither male or female: %
Int students
All students
Female: %
38%
Male: %
59%
1.6%
Bisexual: %
Sexual orientation:
I’ll describe in own words: %
Int students
All students
heterosexual: %
83%
Gay or Lesbian: %
3.3%
6.1%
0.8%
Q1 Please tell us about yourself – Gender and Sexual Orientations

5. Q11 Please tell us about your study
Main teaching campus?
The results for both international and non international students showed the similarity that UP was the main teaching campus: int. 63% and non-int. 68%.
Where the results were most different: students who said they were mainly taught on Jubilee campus where: int: 19% and non-int. 10%.
Students in both categories had similar percentages which have been averaged here. Students taught on; Sutton Bonington 6.7%, QMC 8.5%, Derby 1.4%, Nottingham City Hospital 0.85% or Distance Learner 1.7%
How many years have you studied at the University of Nottingham?
For all students, the split between less than one, 1 to 2 years and 3 to 4 years was split very evenly, at 31-32% in each category. 4% of students said they have studied for 5-8 years.
For International students, the split was a little less even. Less than one year: 39%, 1 to 2 years: 36% and 3 to 4 years 22%. 5 to 8 years showed 3%.
Do you study full or part time?
The results for international and all students were near identical:
Part time: 3.5%
Full time: 96%
Q11 Please tell us about your study

6. The questions asked students:
The results:
show a very similar data trend. Positively the median result, for both sets, was number 8 and the overall average was 7.5%
Although, there is a small fraction of students that deviate from international students that reflect they are extremely unsatisfied, with a significantly larger % choosing option 2 on the scale.
The results also suggest in the unsatisfied to indifferent range of 1-5, international students are slightly more unsatisfied overall, compared to the whole student population
Q12 Overall Course Satisfaction

7. Q18 Graduate and Alumni interests
This question showed that graduates are keen to have a continual involvement with the University and the Students’ union. Rather, than simply making a donation.
Firstly I looked at the top interests for International students, the projects are ranked by popularity according to the percentage of ‘yes’ responses
project
yes, straight away
yes, but not immediately
total yes %
No, total
1. socials or other events with other graduates
30.40%
46.40%
76.80%
23.20%
2. career presentations or advice workshops
18.40%
52%
70.40%
29.60%
3. mentoring current students
24.80%
44.80%
69.60%
4. socials or events with current students
24%
40.80%
64.80%
35.20%
5.watching student performances
16.13%
45.16%
61.29%
38.71%
6. charity challenges that support the university
8.80%
51.20%
60%
40.00%
The next slide will show the highest ranking interests for alumni students for all current students who responded to the survey.
Q18 Graduate and Alumni interests

8. the highest ranking interests for alumni for all current students
project
yes, straight away
yes, but not immediately
total yes%
No.total.
1. socials or events with other graduates
36.36%
42.34%
78.70%
21.30%
2.Career presentations or advice workshops
20.57%
49.48%
70.05%
29.95%
3.mentoring students
23.70%
44.37%
67.77%
32.03%
4.Some form of student group involvement (for clubs, societies, services, associations or networks)
18.28%
43.34%
61.62%
38.38%
5.socials or events with current students
23.64%
37.66%
61.30%
38.70%
6.general fundraising activities
10.26%
46.32%
56.58%
43.42%
The most popular projects show that both international and the whole student population- alumni, are keen to maintain their network with people they met at university and have the opportunity to increase connections and pass on their knowledge of post and during university experience, with career talks and mentoring both popular.
Q18 Graduate and Alumni interests

9. International students – project popularity rankings:
These results are similar to the results for the whole student population. –slight indication that societies are more important to non-international students.
However, although the trends are very similar, the results show that more international Students are willing to make a donation to the University (10% yes no difference) and the Students’ union with 41.13% saying yes, compared to 27.82% saying yes for the whole student population. (See next slide)
project
yes, straight away
yes, but not immediately
total yes%
No.total.
7.some form of student involvement (for clubs, societies, services, associations or networks
16.80%
41.60%
58.40%
8. general fundraising activities
11.29%
44.35%
55.65%
9.Donations to the Univerisity
8.06%
33.06%
52.00%
48.00%
10.charity challenges that support the Students' Union
4.80%
44.00%
48.80%
51.20%
11.donations to the Students' union
41.13%
58.87%
Q18 Graduate and Alumni interests – international students.

10. all students – project popularity rankings:
The least popular category was ‘donations to the Students’ Union, and ‘donations to the University’ for both groups of students.
This highlights that graduates want to see a connection between their donation and the projects they may be interested in supporting. Students when they become alumni prefer to be involved in activities -rather than be faceless donation / prefer to give time over money.
Even though donations to both the SU and University would support projects that both international and all students are shown to care about….
Such as a larger number of students who commented on the survey would like the SU to set up a global online alumni network with a career focus to allow students to get careers support and advice from alumni.
all students – project popularity rankings:
project
yes, straight away
yes, but not immediately
total yes%
No.total.
7.watching student performances
20.21%
35.70%
55.91%
44.09%
8. charity challenges that support the university
8.85%
45.31%
54.17%
45.83%
9.charity challenges that support the student union
7.29%
35.16%
42.45%
57.55%
10.donations to the University
8.00%
43.20%
39.01%
60.99%
11.donations to the Students' Union
3.41%
24.41%
27.82%
72.18%
Q18 Graduate and Alumni interests - all students.

11. Q19 Students’ Union Satisfaction for international students.
The average answer given for SU satisfaction for international Students was 6.84%
Reasoning for international student satisfaction relevant to international students:
‘I'm not too sure what they do, and based in Jubilee myself I haver rarely contact with it’
Post graduate students found that there wasn’t a lot organised for them through the SU, especially outside of office hours as their courses have high time demands.
“More support/inclusion for those living away from campus/Nottingham”
‘The SU is very distant and only caters to some students: native English individuals involved in sports and who like to get smashed. It would be great if we could all feel included in the SU through a diversified palette of events’
Not all PGs / nurses can attend societies due to placements / schedules so feel a little isolated.
SU not overly relevant to PGs. (earlier demographics showed many international students are older and therefore more likely to be postgraduates)
Diversity:
Developing more activities to integrate local and international students.”
PG offering:
PG movie and popcorn nights
Out of term time activity
Some dislike using the online ticket buying services “impersonal, [they] don’t have a UK account [so] find it difficult”
Q19 Students’ Union Satisfaction for international students.

12. Q23 Emotional difficulty.
For the student population as a whole 45.78% said they experienced emotional difficulty, in comparison: 39.10% of international students said they experienced emotional difficulty.
Reasons for international student emotional difficulty based on qualitative analysis of survey:
welcome week lack of inclusivity,
some international students may feel lonliness or a fear of missing out if they are having trouble accessing or going along to welcome week activities.
More needs to be done for mature students. The comments show they feel stressed for time, perhaps more weekend activities could help.
Facilities:
International help – Students feel that there should be space in the international office for counselling.
harder for second language international students to feel like they are fully supported by counselling.
Funding:
“I think SU could offer competitive scholarships as what I've found is that many PGRs are struggling financially, scholarships are not easily available and being self-funded is extremely hard”
The data that showed international students rank society alumni projects as below other causes – may be difficult for them to get involved with societies. Postgraduate hours / second language speaking / intimidating environment.
Q23 Emotional difficulty.

13. Q24 Generation Z and Generation Y for international Students.
To understand the generational differences – take a look at this article:
1.I always communicate to friends using icons, gifs or images. Majority Gen Y and Gen Z mix
2. When looking for jobs, I focus more on the salary, rather than future career development . Strong Gen Z
3.I use 'self destructing' apps (e.g. Snapchat) more than I use traditional social media (e.g. Facebook) Strong Gen Y
4.I'd love to head up my own company one day. Majority Gen Y but also significant Gen Z mix
5. I shop online more than offline. Majority Gen Z but also strong Gen Y.
Q24 Generation Z and Generation Y for international Students.

14. Q24 Generation Z and Generation Y for international Students.
6.I'm not great at saving. I like to spend my money.
It doesn't bother me if when companies track my online behaviour. Strong Gen Z, significant minority of Gen Y
7.It doesn't bother me if when companies track my online behaviour. Strong Gen Z, significant minority of Gen Y
8.When I'm studying, I usually use more than 2 computer screens / devices at any given time. Strong Gen Y, significant minority of Gen Z
9.I experience 'fear of missing out' frequently.
Majority in Gen Y but both feel Gen Y Gen Z as experiencing fomo a little.
10.I focus more on the 'now' than the future Majority in Gen Z but results show students feel that way a little towards Gen Y and Gen Z.
Q24 Generation Z and Generation Y for international Students.

15. International students:: All Students::
I never drink at all
34.59%
I rarely drink more than 6 units at a time
34.93%
I drink more than 6 units at a time once or twice a month
11.64%
1 day
8.90%
2 days
4.79%
3 days
2.74%
4 days
1.03%
5 or more days
1.37%
I never drink at all
17.72%
I rarely drink more than 6 units at a time
28.30%
I drink more than 6 units at a time once or twice a month
20.25%
1 day
15.73%
2 days
10.76%
3 days
5.52%
4 days
0.90%
5 or more days
0.81%
Q25 Alcohol consumption

16. Do you follow any of the below University of Nottingham Students' Union (UoNSU) social media channels? (Please tick all that apply)
international students
All students
UoNSU Twitter
21.20% 60
UoNSU Facebook
53.36%
151
UoNSU Instagram
17.67% 50
None of the above apply
39.22%
111
UoNSU Twitter
28.28%
302
UoNSU Facebook
52.34%
559
UoNSU Instagram
18.63%
199
None of the above apply
38.20%
408
Q26 Social media usage

17. To what degree do you feel a sense of belonging or involvement with the Students' Union?
The average result for international students out of 10 was 4.61% and for the whole population of students was 4.71%
Reasoning for below satisfied sense of belonging result based on qualitative evidence for international students:
students felt that campuses other than the UP campus were inadequately represented.
Lack of diverse events, feeling that all events are centred around alcohol, when 34% of international students say they never drink at all.
Year round involvement, feeling of isolation during the holidays when the SU does not arrange any events. Make facilities better during holidays “summer could be a great time to organise events for postgrads/international students”
a significant number would like to see the International Welcome Programme and the Welcome Week to be merged to allow better integration of international and local students. Feel disconnected from local students.
Q29 Sense of Belonging

18. Q30 SU impact on University experience.
How has the Students' Union impacted upon your University experience so far? – students as a whole
-5 (The impact has been extremely negative)
0.84% 9 -4
0.37% 4 -3
2.05% 22 -2
0.75% 8 -1
0 (There has been no impact)
29.60%
317 +1
13.91%
149 +2
20.92%
224 +3
18.30%
196 +4
7.47% 80
+5 (The impact has been extremely positive)
5.04% 54
This shows very similar results with the largest group ticking 0 to say the SU has had no impact
-3 stood out on the negative scale having more results than the other negative options.
The overall combined result on the positive scale is greater than the negative / zero impact scale for both groups of students by a large majority.
Q30 SU impact on University experience.

19. Q30 SU impact on University experience.
How has the Students' Union impacted upon your University experience so far? – international students
Negatively, most int, students said that there has been no impact of the SU over their university experience. However from -1 to -5 the results are in the minority. Aside from again -3 that stood out with 8 ticks.
Reasoning for why the SU does / does not have an impact.
only one student remarked on this issue and expressed that they would like more focus on mature students ( international students have a larger majority of mature students.)
Some would like to see postgraduate specific events
Some students said they had mandatory course commitments that finish late -feeling if you miss the first session you miss it for the rest of the year.
Lack of international student representation and a feeling that the SU is not relatable to them.
New experiences: ‘Comparing this to an international university experience for a year, the difference is phenomenal - the presence, diversity and real opportunities has made all the difference to my actual degree.’ and Societies – meeting people and learning new things, expand new things
Opportunities such as volunteering
-5 (The impact has been extremely negative)
0.35% 1 -4 -3
2.81% 8 -2
1.05% 3 -1
0 (There has been no impact)
29.82% 85 +1
14.74% 42 +2
21.75% 62 +3
17.54% 50 +4
6.67% 19
+5 (The impact has been extremely positive)
4.56% 13
Q30 SU impact on University experience.

20. How has the Students' Union impacted upon your wellbeing so far?
All students:
International students:
-5 (The impact has been extremely negative)
0.83% 9 -4
0.28% 3 -3
0.64% 7 -2
1.10% 12 -1
1.38% 15
0 (There has been no impact)
43.33%
471 +1
12.05%
131 +2
16.19%
176 +3
13.34%
145 +4
5.06% 55
+5 (The impact has been extremely positive)
3.22% 35
I'm not sure
2.58% 28
-5 (The impact has been extremely negative) (1)
0.35% 1
-4 (2)
0.00%
-3 (3)
1.04% 3
-2 (4)
2.08% 6
-1 (5)
0 (There has been no impact) (6)
38.75%
112
+1 (7)
11.07% 32
+2 (8)
22.84% 66
+3 (9)
12.80% 37
+4 (10)
4.50% 13
+5 (The impact has been extremely positive) (11)
2.77% 8
I'm not sure (12)
Q32 SU impact on Wellbeing

21. Students negatively agreed that the SU has had little impact on wellbeing, most ticking zero. This may be due to how students define their wellbeing, some students might relate it to emotional difficulty and the majority of students in both groups said they did not experience any and therefore would not have need to services they consider related to wellbeing in non broad terms.
Overall international students were more positive that the SU has had a good impact on their wellbeing.
Reasoning for negative and positive experience from the qualitative analysis
students who have struggled with long waiting times for counselling, hiring private therapists, feeling there are no relatable international student counsellors, long waiting times on s
Expensive travel (hopper bus services) and food costs on campus are a concern.
UP students get more exam support (free fruit, golden tickets)
Q32 SU impact on Wellbeing

22. Q34 Engagement with Students’ Union.
How often do you engage with these SU activities?
All students
Never
Total
Physically visit Students' Union space
20.80%
224
1,077
Browse Students' Union social media or their website
25.44%
274
Volunteer / fundraise or work through the Students' Union (this includes student run services)
62.08%
668
1,076
Attend a session or meeting for clubs / societies that you are a member of
25.35%
273
International students
Never
Total
Physically visit Students' Union space
26.67% 76
285
Browse Students' Union social media or their website
23.16% 66
Volunteer / fundraise or work through the Students' Union (this includes student run services)
59.15%
168
284
Attend a session or meeting for clubs / societies that you are a member of
30.18% 86
Physically visit the Students’ union space: Alarmingly many students from both groups have never visited the SU space. But International students have a higher percentage with a 6% difference.
Browse SU social media: the results are very similar with all students browsing slightly more. (social media results indicated more local students use twitter but facebook is used to equal amounts) the never usage is similar percentage wise and this may reflect generation Y students.
Volunteer/fundraise with the SU: near equal numbers have never volunteered with the SU in both groups.
Attend a session or meeting for clubs: again local students seem to access the SU facilities more regularly than international students with a 5% difference in the never result. Time / Campus proximity drawbacks that limit involvement
Q34 Engagement with Students’ Union.

23. Q35 participation with the Students’ Union.
Have you 'signed up' for any of the below extra-curricular activities? And if so, how often do you participate?
All students 
Yes - signed up, but not participated
Yes, participated only once or twice
Yes, I participate, but sporadically not regularly
Yes, I participated regularly but stopped within three months of joining
Yes, I participated regularly, but stopped recently
Yes, I participate regularly
Total
Sport club
7.92% 35
16.74% 74
15.16% 67
7.01% 31
45.25%
200
442
Societies
10.55% 79
16.96%
127
20.56%
154
3.47% 26
7.08% 53
41.39%
310
749
Volunteering
15.70% 46
25.94% 76
12.63% 37
4.44% 13
8.53% 25
32.76% 96
293
Intra-mural sport
9.20% 16
14.94%
20.69% 36
8.62% 15
16.09% 28
30.46%
174
 international students
Yes - signed up, but not participated
Yes, participated only once or twice
Yes, I participate, but sporadically not regularly
Yes, I participated regularly but stopped within three months of joining
Yes, I participated regularly, but stopped recently
Yes, I participate regularly
Total
Sport club
10.00% 11
19.09% 21
15.45% 17
8.18% 9
10.91% 12
36.36% 40
110
Societies
11.60%
23.76% 43
21.55% 39
6.63%
24.86% 45
181
Volunteering
24.10% 20
38.55% 32
10.84%
4.82% 4
9.64% 8
12.05% 10 83
Intra-mural sport
16.28% 7
20.93%
27.91%
13.95% 6
6.98% 3
Q35 participation with the Students’ Union.

24. Have you 'signed up' for any of the below extra-curricular activities
Have you 'signed up' for any of the below extra-curricular activities? And if so, how often do you participate? reasoning for international students:
There are some clear differences between international and local students in terms of their long term involvement with the SU, where local students are more likely to stay and participate with the SU in the long term.
Comments:
Students felt excluded for a number of different reasons: living away from campus, event being scheduled at inconvenient times for students on particular courses, event being centred on alcohol and drinking etc.
The SU is very distant and only caters to some students: native English individuals involved in sports and who like to get smashed. It would be great if we could all feel included in the SU through a diversified palette of events’ there are also a diverse range of societies to choose from that are non-sport and non drinking related.
Unless you're "in the know" about the union it can feel a bit like a mystery department.’
Q35 participation with the Students’ Union.

25. All students Q52 knowledge of student advice centre.
The Student Advice Centre offers the below services to students. Prior to today, were you aware of these services, and if so, have you made use of them?
All students
I've never heard of this
I've heard of this, but have never used it
I used the service, it didn't meet my expectations
I used the service, it met my expectations
I used the service, it exceeded my expectations
Total
Accommodation contract checking
42.12%
278
44.24%
292
2.12% 14
8.94% 59
2.58% 17
660
Council tax advice
61.88%
409
32.83%
217
2.57%
2.27% 15
0.45% 3
661
Accommodation standards or dispute support
45.36%
298
47.95%
315
2.44% 16
3.65% 24
0.61% 4
657
House hunting and moving in advice
32.73%
216
54.70%
361
3.64%
8.18% 54
0.76% 5
Academic appeal, disciplinary or complaint support
33.99%
224
60.09%
396
3.03% 20
0.30% 2
659
Changing course support
31.26%
206
60.55%
399
2.73% 18
4.10% 27
1.37% 9
Extenuating circumstances support
19.52%
129
4.69% 31
10.59% 70
3.33% 22
Employment rights advice
57.58%
380
38.03%
251
0.15% 1
Tax and national insurance advice
64.70%
427
31.97%
211
0.91% 6
Financial debt and budgeting support
41.75%
276
52.34%
346
2.87% 19
International student money advice
52.19%
345
43.57%
288
1.51% 10
Harassment advice
59.24%
391
37.42%
247
Q52 knowledge of student advice centre.

26. International Students
The Student Advice Centre offers the below services to students. Prior to today, were you aware of these services, and if so, have you made use of them?
 International Students
I've never heard of this
I've heard of this, but have never used it
I used the service, it didn't meet my expectations
I used the service, it met my expectations
I used the service, it exceeded my expectations
Total
Accommodation contract checking
51.76% 88
29.41% 50
5.88% 10
8.24% 14
4.71% 8
170
Council tax advice
59.06%
101
32.75% 56
4.09% 7
3.51% 6
0.58% 1
171
Accommodation standards or dispute support
45.83% 77
41.07% 69
5.95%
4.76%
2.38% 4
168
House hunting and moving in advice
36.84% 63
49.71% 85
4.68%
7.60% 13
1.17% 2
Academic appeal, disciplinary or complaint support
33.53% 57
54.71% 93
1.18%
Changing course support
42.11% 72
49.12% 84
Extenuating circumstances support
33.92% 58
52.05% 89
6.43% 11
2.92% 5
Employment rights advice
48.82% 83
41.76% 71
4.12%
0.59%
Tax and national insurance advice
63.74%
109
28.07% 48
Financial debt and budgeting support
45.03%
46.78% 80
International student money advice
44.44% 76
43.86% 75
7.02% 12
1.75% 3
Harassment advice
58.24% 99
35.29% 60
5.29% 9
Q52 knowledge of student advice centre.

27. Q52 knowledge of student advice centre.
Comparisons between international and local students for knowledge on the Student advice centre
Accommodation contract checking, less international students have heard of it – stay for less time don’t need to search for housing. Near 10% difference between the groups.
Council tax advice, fairly equal percentage split, 59-61% have not heard of this service in both groups.
Accommodation standards or dispute support, even percentages for both, 45% have never heard of the service in both groups and 3-5% have used this service.
House hunting and moving in advice, more international students have heard of this service by 5%
Academic appeal, disciplinary or complaint support, similarly in both groups 33% had not heard of this service.
Changing course support, 10% more of international students had heard of this service.
Extenuating circumstances support, 13% more of international students had heard of this service compared to local students.
Employment rights advice, 9% more of international students had heard of this service.
Tax and national insurance advice, 63 – 64% of both local and international students had not heard of this service.
Financial debt and budgeting support 41-45% of both groups had not heard of this service.
International student money advice, 8% more of local students had heard this advice at 43%, but more international students had used this service.
Harassment advice, of students had not heard of this service from both groups.
Q52 knowledge of student advice centre.

28. Recommendations for international students based on the data findings:
Survey showed high number of international students on Jubilee campus, offering more international student advice and services there could be beneficial.
40% of international students answering the survey had been at UoN for under a year, therefore make sure societies increase the time period you can try it out, so they don’t miss out with the current attitude of missing a taster session means missing out on the society for that semester.
A high number of international students were satisfied with their course overall and said they were more likely to make a donation to the University as alumni. Therefore look at raising more awareness for the SU as a charity where the large number of students who would not donate despite caring for the causes and projects of the SU, suggests there is some unawareness of what the SU is for and does.
Additionally some international students seem cut off from the SU ticking that they visited less than once a month, meaning they either don’t know what the SU is, or are not involved in extra curricular activities which can increase student wellbeing.
Increasing digital media for the SU, where International students said as alumni they would like to watch performances, this could be achieved over youtube and facebook video with the live features.
Conclusions.
01/07/16

29. Recommendations for international students
It was also highlighted international students experienced emotional difficulty when unable to access counselling services + 2nd language support may need to be looked in to.
The comments said that student minds services helped them having weekly sessions to talk to the student minds group. During my involvement with Student minds this year, we organised many non-alcoholic and alternative events for students which was raised continually in the comments as something missing for international students, and many international students identified themselves as light or non drinkers. Events student minds organised such as, film screenings, acoustic evenings, poetry nights, crafternoons, coffee and cake events and socials to planet bounce, which will be carried in to the next academic year, are great alternatives to drinking events. I know many societies also do alternative events like this, and the unforgettable one has to be the guide dog puppy room law society set up. More events like this are in demand for international and local students and I believe they could benefit from more promotional support from the SU.
Many international students are mature and expressed they have busy schedules, perhaps more weekend events could cater to their busy week, and many students often complain about slow Sundays where they can feel isolated.
Gen Z and Gen Y insights catered towards the students in a survey an promotional material adapted to them.
Conclusions.
01/07/16

30. Recommendations for international students
Sense of belonging, having a 2 week freshers week that other universities have that merges the international freshers week and local freshers week to give students more opportunity to sign up to societies and meet new people from different backgrounds.
Conclusions.
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