Students going abroad to Maynooth University have reported the highest satisfaction with their international study experience, according to the StudyPortals International Student Satisfaction Awards 2015. International students in Ireland have reported the highest satisfaction with their international study experience, followed by last year’s leaders from Scandinavia: Finland, Sweden and Denmark.
Maynooth University received the Outstanding International Student Satisfaction Award in Ireland, with students being particularly happy about the charming and lively campus, the close community of students, the friendliness of the teachers, and the small class sizes.
Prof Ronan Reilly, Dean of International and Graduate Studies at Maynooth University commented on the results: “This survey confirms what international students at Maynooth have been saying for some time. Maynooth University has provided generations of students with an excellent university education that has touched and changed the lives of each one and has enabled and empowered remarkable achievements. The quality of a Maynooth education springs from our deep commitment to teaching, which is driven by, and just as important as, our research.”
NUI Galway, UL and UCC received Excellent International Student Satisfaction Awards, while UCD was rated as Very Good.
While Irish universities have the happiest students, at the other end of the spectrum, France continues to have the lowest score in international student satisfaction, with an 8.2 score, with complaints continuing to revolve around the poor student services available at the universities, as well as the excessive bureaucracy. Irish universities also outperform those from the UK, which ranked 10th in international student satisfaction.
Irish universities were particularly appreciated for their community atmospheres, innovative programmes, support structures for students, as well as their multicultural mix and vivid student life. In the UK, the students commented on the excellent tutors, teaching quality and international recognition of their university degree.
The StudyPortals International Student Satisfaction Awards 2015 are based on 17,018 reviews, added to the STeXX.eu – the student experience website during the 2014 – 2015 academic year.