why malta report

A SURVEY REPORT BASED ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALTA IN 2013.

Report written by: Albert Camilleri & Timmy Borg OlivierKSU International Office 2012/3

Special thanks to:University of Malta International Office

Published:June, 2013

Kunsill Studenti UniversitarjiUniversity Students’ Council

Page 1

Launched during KSU One World Fair, which took place between the 20th and the 22nd of March, the KSU International Office embarked on a new project to get even closer to international students studying at the University of Malta. One of the initiatives is this report, aiming to get to know their experience on our island and how this can be improved. We would like to thank the University International Office for their constant support.

“”

” THE survey was sent out to international students studying at the University of

Malta in March of 2013 through three different means. First, a link to the survey was

sent to all International Students who registered with KSU during Orientation Days.

Then, an e-mail was sent from the Registrar’s’ Office and a post was also published

on KSU’s facebook page. In all 83 students took part and gave their constructive input.

The survey itself was an online form which clearly indicated that only International

Students currently studying at the University of Malta should answer the questions.

This however doesn’t exclude the possibility that non-international students answered

the survey as well. There were nine fields to answer which were mostly multiple choice

questions. The first question asked respondents whether they are Erasmus students,

Transfer or Exchange students or full/part time international University students.

INTRODUCING THE SURVEY

THE majority (57%) of respondents were full time or part time international

students. These study at the University of Malta for a longer period and finish the

whole course here in Malta. Erasmus students (39% of respondents) and Transfer/

Exchange students (4% of respondents) made up the rest of the participants.

WHO ARE THE RESPONDENTS

Erasmus students 39%Transfer/Exchange Student s 4%Full Time / Part Time Students 57% Erasmus students

Full Time/Part timestudents

Transfer/Exchangestudents

WHEN DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

MORE than half of the respondents said that they only

head about the University of Malta a few weeks before applying.

39% said that they knew about the University in the last five years

whilst only 11% answered that they heard about it before that.

A few weeks before applying 51%In the last 5 years 39%More than 5 years ago 11%

A few weeks beforeapplying

In the last5 years

More than 5 years ago

THIS question was left open to the respondents as they answered in

different ways. Below are the most common replies:

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MALTA

“classes are in English”

“University’s web site is clear and one can find all needed information…

it gives sense of security and impression that here you care about students.”

“I was familiar with it after attending a language school.”

“the lifestyle is cheaper than other EU countries”

“beautiful weather”

“students from my university had been there in the

past and told me it was a great experience.”

“convenient to travel all over Europe”

“no fees”

“safe environment”

WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

FULFILLED

FOLLOWING the earlier question, we wanted to get to

know whether the reasons they chose Malta and the University of Malta

still hold truth and whether their expectations had been fulfilled so far.

This was also left open to students and there was almost an equal balance

of yes and no answers. Additionally some of their comments included:

“The nightlife and campus experience was a let-down. There just isn’t a very student based university social life.”

“The university directs a lot of attention towards Erasmus students; full-time international students are quite left on their own.”

“I was very disappointed at the organisation and competency of the admissions office. It was a truly awful first impression and many international students described it as unacceptable.”

“The quality of the lectures could be better”

“More modern than expected”

THE survey also asked for the place of residence, for two main reasons. The

first reason is ultimately knowing where international students are staying during

their stay and the second is how this has an effect on their overall experience. 70%

said they live in flats or apartments. The rest lived at the University Residence in

Lija (13%), Garden View (2%) and the NSTS Residencies (15%) whilst 13% lived

in other accommodation facilities.

WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY RESIDING IN

MALTA

Lija Residence 13%Garden View 2%NSTS Residencies 1%Flat/Appartment 58%Other 13%

Flat / Appartment

Lija Residence

Other

Garden View NSTS Residencies

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO STUDY

HEREWHETHER or not their expectations were fulfilled, a large majority

of students said that they would (90%). This is a very positive indicator for both the

University and the country.

YES 90%NO 10%

YES

NO

30% of respondents highlighted the weather as the country’s best feature.

Another 16% and 14% identified the safe environment and the English language

respectively as the best feature. Entertainment and leisure activities (8%),

the nightlife (8%) and other reasons (25%) make up the rest of the answers.

WHAT IS THE BEST FEATURE ABOUT

MALTA

Weather 30%Entertainment /Leisure Activities 8%Safe Environment 16%English Language 14%Nightlife 6%Other 25%

Weather

Other

SafeEnvironment

EnglishLanguage

LeisureActivities

Nightlife

UNSURPRISINGLY, 57% said that the use of English in

lectures was the best feature and in fact was one of the reasons students chose this

University for their studies. The quality of lectures and professors was the second

best feature chosen by international students (22%). 8% chose the helpful staff and

administration and the rest (13%) indicated other factors.

WHAT IS THE BEST FEATURE ABOUT THE

THE UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

English in lectures 57%Quality of Lectures & Professors 22%Helpful staff & administration 8%Other 13%

English in lectures

Quality ofLectures &Professors

Other

Helpful Staff & administration

THE last question was left open for students to give their ideas to how

the experience can be improved. Some of the most interesting comments were:

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE

EXPERIENCE

Weather

“more flexibility with final exams for international students as it is difficult and expensive to have to stay all the way through the month of June”

“inform incoming international students about fun pages on facebook where there are information about all activities organised for students”

“more things to do during the day on campus”

“better library opening hours”

“more events for international students NOT just Erasmus, a clearer difference should be noted. More support for international students

in private housing and more information given prior to arrival”

“more help with the choosing of modules and the signing of learning agreements in the first week or two would have been greatly appreciated”

“the use of English should be consistent as some lecturers tend to ‘forget’ and slip into Maltese”

“Malta is the most polluted country in Europe”

“More drama facilities on campus”

“there should be more things organised to include everyone at the university, and not to make the Erasmus program an exclusive program”

“far too much red tape involved in international office”

“food in the university canteen is too expensive and unhealthy”

“University of Malta is very poor in terms of sports and physical exercise among its students”

“Student organisations should organise better Erasmus parties – drinking is not the most important factor, we need more activities”

“Longer opening hours in international office”

“Faster issuing of exam results”

“More space to read/study indoors for the cold winter”

“An association for postgraduate students”

“Involve the students more in KSU and organisations”

“The International Administration staff must work better with the individual faculties”

THE survey established a number of areas in which KSU,

the University of Malta, student organisations as well as local

authorities must work together in order to provide an even better

experience for International Students studying at this University.

Whilst a large majority of students will in fact recommend Malta

and our University, there are some issues which are common to

many students. These include improving sports facilities on campus,

integrating both Erasmus and full time students with locals through

different events and activities, ensuring an efficient administration

of documents and more flexibility with credits and assessments.

These improvements, together with other factors highlighted

from the answers given by students will continue to make

Malta and the University a more popular destination for

higher education studies across Europe and beyond.

CONCLUDING REMARKS AND

WAY FORWARD

This REPORT can be found online at:ksu.org.mt

Front Page Photo taken fromOfficial MTA Website

Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Kunsill Studenti Universitarji2013

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