The International Office

Sandra Morris

25th October 2006

Introduction

• The University of Edinburgh and internationalisation

• International student demographics• The role of the International Office• Who’s who• Changing nature of international recruitment• Appointed representatives• International Student Barometer• The coming year

The Scottish Executive’s Strategy

Draft document –an International Strategy for Scottish Further and Higher Education

Strategic priorities:• Increase awareness and use of Scottish education and

research in international markets• Improve global employability of Scots• Improve quality of experience and employability of

international students• Support Lisbon agenda and European competitiveness

The University’s Strategic Plan, 2004-8

• Aim– To be truly international across the range of the

University’s activities• Objectives

– further raise the University’s international profile and reputation

– promote international collaboration in education, research and knowledge transfer

– promote a two-way cultural exchange between Scotland and the rest of the world

– attract and support greater numbers of international students

– create an enriched environment for the University community

The International Office’s Operational Plan 06-08

4 strategic objectives

To ensure that the University is recognised in key markets as being a leading academic institution

To achieve an increase of 500 additional overseas FTEs by 2007/08

To enhance the International Office’s role in overseas student welfare

To assist Colleges and Schools with the identification of key overseas markets and the development of recruitment strategies

International Office

• International student recruitment– Supporting schools and colleges– Information and advice– Inward and outward visits– Publications

• Student exchanges– International– Socrates/Erasmus

• International student welfare– Welcome and orientation– Social programme– In-year support– Immigration advice

International student demographics

• 65% increase from 1999-00 to 2005-06

• Over 5000 international undergraduate, postgraduate and visiting students

• 135 countries

• 80% of students come from 14 countries targeted by International Office

International students by country

Country New Entrants

2006-07

CHSS Totals

2006-07

Total Population

2006-07

USA 576 624 795

China 347 260 504

Canada 112 118 167

Malaysia 25 18 125

India 71 36 98

Taiwan 71 82 116

Japan 43 77 96

Hong Kong 30 51 72

Norway 23 45 58

Singapore 17 25 59

South Korea 19 33 51

Russia 25 34 44

Mexico 10 9 36

Thailand 13 18 36

Who’s who - Student Recruitment

• Rebecca Gaukroger– USA/Russian Federation

• Katrina Hastings– Malaysia/Singapore/Int’l students in Europe

• Liz Lister– Thailand

• Alan Mackay– Middle East/Emerging markets

• Catriona Shannon– India/Canada/Mexico/Norway

• Matthew Wortley– Japan/Hong Kong/Korea/Taiwan

• Nini Yang– China

Who’s who - Student Exchange

• Sandra Morris– Co-ordination and Policy

• Lesley Balharry– Outgoing ERASMUS students and

ERASMUS contracts

• Helen Leitch– Outgoing International exchange students

and contracts

• Clare Swindells– All incoming exchange and visiting students

applicants

Who’s who - Student Support

• Sandra Morris– Co-ordination and Policy

• Ann McKay– Student advisor/immigration advisor

• Mark McGillivray– Induction activities and student support

Student recruitment

• International recruitment is changing– More competitive: students with more options

– Technology has raised student expectations

• Relationship-building with high schools and universities

• Overseas representative networks

• Emphasis on conversion• In-country pre-departure briefings

• Turn-around time

• Maintaining (personal) contact

Appointed Representatives

• 20 legally-appointed representatives• Experienced• Quality control and training• Extension of the International Office• Range of services• Better applicants; better conversion rates

International Student Barometer

• ALL international students surveyed

• 40+ institutions participating

• i-graduate

• 3 census points

• Information on student priorities, expectations, behaviour, experience, etc.

• Informing change

Action from ISB (to date)

Autumn Wave Spring Wave Summer Wave

Findings*Poor meet and greet serviceAccess to emailSetting up a bank accountProcessing applications/Response timesAccommodation value

FindingsCareers and employability dissatisfaction (but students expressed satisfaction with the Careers Service itself)Accommodation value and qualityVisa advice and information

FindingsQuality of learning spaces criticisedCost of living and accommodation were criticisedCampus eating placesAccommodation Service

ActionsNew meet and greet programme introduced in 2006Pre-registration in 2006 allowed immediate access to emailIO liaised with Banks but accommodation leases in 2006 created other problemsColleges reviewed processes/SPGSC review/ FSBAccommodation Office advised of problems

ActionsCareers Service advisedAccommodation Service advisedAppointments service set up for visa and immigration clinic. Increased hours provided each day.

ActionsQuality of Learning spaces – action yet to be takenAccommodation service advised of problemsCampus eating places – KB?

New for 2006-7

• Representatives’ Zone of website– Keep official representatives up-to-date with

relevant information– Provide applicant data– Cut-down on repeat enquiries

• Country-specific entry requirement recommendations and student tracking

• Masters programme information sheets– Accompany Concise PG Prospectus– Detailed information

• Future Student Barometer– Why don’t students choose Edinburgh

• PGT Study Orientation Day– University-wide

Contact

• Sandra Morris

International Office

57 George Square

Tel: 650 4300

Email: sandra.morris@ed.ac.uk

Useful website addresses:

www.international.ed.ac.uk

www.intra.international-office.ed.ac.uk/Uoe/News/october2006.htm