What is the ISB?

The International Student Barometer (ISB) is the world’s largest student survey and is administered by an independent external research company iGraduate. The survey provides Flinders University with global, local and customised benchmarks for international student satisfaction and feedback.

Flinders University & ISB

For Flinders international students; the ISB is an opportunity to tell us what’s working, areas we can improve in and what you think of your Flinders experience to date.

We thank all international students who have participated in the ISB survey and provided valuable feedback in the past. Flinders University will continue to utilise the ISB survey to critically appraise satisfaction levels, improve international student services and sanction ongoing development across the University.

2011 Results

Flinders University has achieved a high overall satisfaction appraisal from international students in the 2011 International Student Barometer (ISB).

The ISB survey results demonstrate Flinders University is performing strongly in areas of satisfaction examined in the study including learning, living, support, and arrival services.The majority of international students revealed they would recommend Flinders University to others considering a tertiary education.

The survey identified the five most important factors for students choosing to study at Flinders University as the quality of teaching, reputation of the qualification, institution reputation, reputation of the education system in the country and the cost of living.

Specific areas of strength revealed in the survey include student satisfaction regarding graduate employability, good teachers, expert lecturers, social activities, living costs, access and quality of accommodation, student advisory and welcome services.

International Office Director Virginia Pattingale is pleased with the trend of results from the survey which corroborate Flinders commitment to student satisfaction.

“For the last three years we have participated in the ISB to benchmark ourselves against more than 200 education institutions worldwide and 28 nationally. It is excellent  to see the high regard Flinders international students have for the services we are providing. The results gained are highly valuable and will help sanction improvement in the key areas identified by our students,” she commented.
 

Past Results

Please view the table below which outlines the 2010 results:


Factors

 

Flinders overall level of satisfaction as a %

 

Australian overall level of satisfaction as a %

 
Arrival Satisfaction
89.6%86.5%
Learning Satisfaction86.0%83.9%
Living Satisfaction88.1%86.0%
Support Satisfaction87.4%86.3%
Overall Satisfaction87.6%85.8%

Flinders ranked number one in Australia in 2010 for overall student learning. Other areas of high satisfaction included:

  • Expert lecturer
  • Good teachers
  • Course content
  • Performance feedback
  • Worship facilities
  • Quality of living
  • Safety
  • Health Centre Services
  • International Student Services Unit

What are we using the results for?

In response to feedback received from the ISB survey we have implemented the following strategies and initiatives:


Careers and Work experience:

Feedback revealed international students felt limited opportunities existed for work experience, careers advice and interaction with prospective employers. We have:

  • Conducted a formal review with immediate changes to the FBS WIL (work integrated learning program) and FBS Connect.
  • Enhanced resourcing, commenced a curriculum restructure to increase options for placements, sought employers in more diverse areas and developed a new orientation program through FBS WIL.
  • Linked new international students, current students, and past students working in their chosen industry through FBS Connect, a three-tier mentoring program.
  • Expanded work experience opportunities in more courses.
  • Provided postgraduate students with more teaching opportunities.
  • Appointed a Career Development Consultant in 2010 for International Students.

Arrival Services (Orientation, Registration and Enrolment):

Feedback received demonstrated concerns with orientation, registration and enrolment services. A change in the orientation format in 2010 from previous years received lower levels of satisfaction in 2010 ISB survey results. We have:

  • Immediately shifted to a compulsory and comprehensive two day orientation program, replacing shorter, optional individual sessions.
  • Improved promotion of orientation, registration and enrolment services through use of International Office CRM.

Language support:

Feedback received highlighted the need for more language support, group work and better access to writing workshops. We have:

  • Physically relocated the writing centre to the central library.

  • Undertaken a weekly presence in buildings closer to teaching areas.

  • An enhanced, collaborative Learning Hub in the Central Library with a cafe and better afterhours access.

Overall we have a strong sense that we are continuously improving our performance by addressing areas of lower satisfaction and maintaining quality in areas of high satisfaction. Through engaging staff, students, institutions and other external stakeholders at a global and local level we can continue to provide quality education and services for international students at Flinders.