RGSU International Student Survey

Survey open 9 December 2024 - 28 February 2025

We want to hear from international students across the Russell Group.

We want to explore the positive contribution that international students make to UK universities and beyond, as well as the barriers they face through the immigration system.

Scroll down to find out how you can get involved.

  

In May 2024, we launched our Student Manifesto in the House of Lords. Here, we presented our vision for the future of UK Higher Education.

Central to this vision was the belief that we must ensure the UK provides a welcoming and supportive environment for international students, recognises the value they add to student life, and that we need to improve the UK immigration system to better support those who want to study here.  

Without this, UK Higher Education cannot retain its world class reputation.  

FAQs

  • The purpose of this research is to understand the experience of international students studying at Russell Group universities. This builds on our asks in the Student Manifesto.

    The survey will focus on:

    • The experiences of applying for a UK Student Visa.

    • The financial pressures facing international students.

    • The impact of paid-work restrictions.

    • The provision and effectiveness of university services for international students.

    Thanks to the brilliant conversations with Sabbatical Officers and staff, we’re confident the research will help identify the most important issues and make strong recommendations to both universities and the national government on improving the international student experience.

  • The survey is open from Monday 9 December 2024 - Friday 28 February 2025.

  • Yes, we do.

    Take a look at our resource bank below.

  • Yes, respondents will have a chance to win one of 20 £50 vouchers.

  • If you get 200+ responses, we will provide you with your raw data.

    We will provide all members with weekly updates on the number of responses collected from each union.

  • We are aiming to launch the final report with recommendations in early May 2025.

    More details to follow.

  • If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, please message our Policy and Influencing Coordinator, Ed via ed.lidington@rgsu.com

Resource bank

  • 1.

    🎓 Are you an international student at [insert university name here]? We want to hear from YOU!
    🌍 Share your experiences, challenges, and ideas to improve the international student experience.
    💷 Plus, you could win 1 of the 20 £50 vouchers up for grabs!
    Take the survey 👉 https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_0fBDsZEOdvcfcDI

    2.

    📢 Calling all international students!
    Your voice matters – take part in our Russell Group-wide survey and help shape the future for international students across the UK.
    💷 You could win a £50 voucher just for sharing your views!
    Survey open until 28 Feb 👉 https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_0fBDsZEOdvcfcDI

    3.

    💬 What are the biggest challenges international students face?
    Your input in our survey will directly inform recommendations for universities and government to improve your experience.
    💷 Plus, 20x £50 vouchers are up for grabs!
    Take the survey today 👉 https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_0fBDsZEOdvcfcDI

    4.

    ✨ Want your uni and government to know what matters to you as an international student?
    Take the survey, share your views, and help make a difference!💷 20 chances to win £50 vouchers!
    Don’t wait – survey closes 28 Feb 👉 https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_0fBDsZEOdvcfcDI

    5.

    ⏰ Time is running out, there are only [number] days left to participate in the RGSU International Student Survey!

    This is open to to all international students studying at a Russell Group university to share their experiences studying in the UK.

    Make sure YOUR voice is heard. 🗣️

    Take the survey today 👉 https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_0fBDsZEOdvcfcDI

  • Post Idea 1:

    📢 Calling All International Students!

    This is YOUR chance to share your experiences and make your voice heard. 🌍

    Take the RGSU survey and help us create recommendations to improve the student experience for international students like YOU.

    💷 Plus there are 20x £50 vouchers up for grabs! 🎉

    Survey open until the 28th February.


    Click the link in bio to take part!

    #RGSU #InternationalStudents #Survey #Voice

    Post Idea 2:

    ✨ What matters most to you as an international student?
    We want to know!

    Take part in our Russell Group-wide survey to share your challenges and ideas for change.

    💷 Plus, 20 participants will win a £50 voucher! 🎁

    Click the link in bio to get started! Survey closes 28 February.

    #RGSU #InternationalStudents #Survey #Voice

    Post Idea 3:

    💬 Your voice can drive change!

    📊 We’re running a survey for international students at Russell Group universities, and we need YOUR input.

    Your feedback will help us:
    ✅ Call for better support at universities.
    ✅ Show the importance of international students to the UK.
    ✅ Create recommendations for government and universities.

    ✅  Lobby Government to improve the Student Visa system

    💷 You could also win a £50 voucher!

    Survey open now – link in bio! Closes 28 February.

    #RGSU #InternationalStudents #Survey #Voice

    Post Idea 4:

    🎓 International students – we want to hear from YOU!

    Help shape the future of the international student experience by completing the RGSU survey.

    💷 And remember, there are 20x £50 vouchers up for grabs! 🎉

    Click the link in bio and have your say before 28 February.

    Post Idea 5 (Countdown Reminder):

    ⏳ Only [Insert Days Left] to take part in the RGSU international student survey!

    💬 Share your experiences.
    🌍 Shape the future for international students.
    💷 Win 1 of 20 £50 vouchers!

    Don’t miss out – link in bio. Survey closes 28 February!

    #RGSU #InternationalStudents #Survey #Voice

  • The Russell Group Students' Union (RGSU), in partnership with UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs), is inviting all international students across Russell Group universities to take part in a survey designed to understand the unique challenges you face.

    This is your chance to share your experiences and help shape the future of support for international students. Your views could prove crucial in ensuring the concerns of international students are heard by policymakers and actions are taken to improve student experience.

    At RGSU, we’re committed to improving the student experience for everyone, and your voice will help us make a strong case for meaningful changes at both the university and national level. This research will identify the most important issues and offer actionable recommendations.

    This survey will focus on:

    • The experiences of applying for a UK Student Visa.

    • The financial pressures facing international students.

    • The impact of paid-work restrictions.

    • The provision and effectiveness of university services for international students.

    As a thank-you for your time, we’re offering 20 prizes of £50 vouchers to survey participants!

    The survey will run from 9th December to the end of February and just takes around 15 minutes to complete. All data is kept confidential and all personal information will be stored securely in line with data protection legislation. We do not require or publish identifying information.

    Make your voice heard!

    Click the link below to take part:
    RGSU Survey into International Students Studying in the UK

Click on the images below to download

This research is being undertaken by Students' Union UCL on behalf of the Russell Group Students' Unions and in partnership with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).