Glasgow University won the Whatuni Student Choice award for the best International experience, as voted for by current students at UK universities.
The award, which was sponsored by IELTS and presented by Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, was given to the HEI with the highest score for international experience.
“We only want to work with partners who have the same core values as we do at Glasgow”
Head of the International office at Glasgow, Ian Thompson, told The PIE News that receiving an award selected by students, and sponsored by such trusted agencies as IDP (which owns Hotcourses) was especially important.
“Us at Glasgow can think we’re doing it right… but unless the customer, the international student says we’re doing the right things, or we’re on that right course, then it doesn’t mean anything. Because they’re the one that are going to feedback and have this world-changing experience… So it’s everything to get it from the students.”
“IDP are one of the most renowned agents in the sector, their staff are second to none in terms of their pastoral work, counselling, that’s why we work with them. We only want to work with partners who have the same core values as we do at Glasgow, with students at the centre, and that’s why it is special [from businesses] like IDP and Hotcourses,” he added.
Thompson went on to praise the Glasgow International College, which is run in partnership with Kaplan.
“We won’t have it perfect, but at least we’re going in the right direction. Glasgow International College plays a major part in that I think.”
This year, the Whatuni? Awards were extended to 15 categories, and despite what Hotcourses Group CEO Simon Emmett rightly referred to as “negative headlines” in the UK press, more than 36,000 student reviews were collected.
Aberystwyth University came second in the International category, with Northumbria rounding out the podium in third place.
You can watch our interview with vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Sir Anton Musctelli, here.
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018 winners
University of the Year
Loughborough University
Accommodation
Bangor University
City Life
University of Liverpool
Clubs & Societies
Bangor University
Course & Lecturers
Harper Adams University
Giving Back
Loughborough University
Job Prospects
Harper Adams University
Student Support
Harper Adams University
Students’ Union
University of Sheffield
Uni Facilities
Loughborough University
Postgraduate
Aberystwyth University
Independent
Point Blank Music School
Further Education
Bridgend College
Best Prospective Student Engagement Award
St Mary’s, Twickenham
