Response to a RGSU and UKCISA report on the international student experience

An interesting publication from the Russell Group’s Students’ Unions and UKCISA was published recently that highlights the UK’s strength as a study destination, while also providing a number of recommendations where it can improve.

Its findings mirror some of those found in our own UK data in the International Student Barometer (ISB) where 35,000 international voices were captured, 8,000 of which were from Russell Group Universities.

International students' feedback on UK institutions

“The UK remains a top destination for international students”, shown through the data we have published below.

• 83% of first year international students studying in the UK said it was their first choice of study destination.
• 92% of first year international students who in our Russell Group dataset said the reputation of the education system in the UK, and 95% the reputation of the specific institution, was either important or very important in their decision to study here.
• 78% of first year international students in our Russell Group dataset said opportunities for full-time work following my studies was either important or very important in their decision to study in the UK.

Some areas of the report recognise the areas of weaknesses that students suggest, and from it we have data to support these claims.

“International students face financial strain, impacting their overall experience:”

• Satisfaction with cost of living-related elements are some of the lowest scores seen across the ISB, with only 63% of students in our Russell Group and 70% in our wider UK datasets satisfied with the cost of living.

“International students face barriers to social integration:”

• Whilst 85% of international students in our Russell Group dataset, 87% in the UK, and 87% in our global benchmarks are satisfied with making friends with international students from other countries, satisfaction is only 73%, 77% and 72% respectively when asked about making friends from the UK.

For more insights from the International Student Barometer, download the 2024 global student experience report below.

The 2025 report is now published - download now.