International Student Roundtable Conference
Why do we hold International Student Roundtables?
Our goal is simple: we want to genuinely understand your experiences as international students. Hearing your perspectives helps us identify what’s working, what isn’t, and how we can make meaningful improvements for the future. All international students are welcome—whether you’re studying on a foundation programme, an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate Master’s course or a research pathway.
During the roundtable, we hand the conversation over to you. This is your space to openly share your thoughts with staff and fellow students about any aspect of your student experience. You’re encouraged to bring forward any topics that matter to you—big or small. The roundtable is all about your voice and what you want the university to hear.
Who, where and when?
Who: 30 international students (UG, PGT and PGR students)
When: 4th December 2025
Where: Central campus
Time: 01:45 pm to 4:30 pm
What are the themes?
There are generally 3-4 themes for discussions:
- Pre-arrival
- Arrivals and Welcome week
- Settling in/ living in the UK
What happens during the session?
Group discussion with other students, facilitated by a member of the International Student Ambassadors, for you to share your thoughts and ideas, including your experience on and off the campus.
Would my voice lead to positive changes?
Yes! Following previous events, we have launched multiple projects & initiatives which resulted in a wide range of intervention and enhancement to the University's offering to international students. Please find a few initiatives which were a result from the roundtable conference:
Pre-arrival, Welcome and Induction
International Student Experience Enhancement Project was launched in Spring 2023 for rapid improvement to the pre-arrival and welcome experience of international students.
The project contributed to a high level of satisfaction reported by students, in particular pre-arrival comms, as outlined in Welcome Report 2023.
The outcome was reported to the International Committee in March 2024 and Student Learning Engagement and Experience Committee (SLEEC) in May 2024.
During studies and Transition out:
We launched International PGT Student Experience Enhancement Project in early 2024 with the first project meeting taking place in March 2024.
The project seeks to work collaboratively in order to make a wide range of rapid improvements to international PGT students' experience during and as they prepare for the end of their studies.
We have used the findings from the International student roundtable in March 2023and subsequent roundtable events as part of the evidence gathering which informed the design and implantation of the project, and it received endorsement from the International Committee in March and December 2024, and SLEEC in May 2024. This project concluded in November 2024.
Past Events
Information gathered during the roundtable has been written up and headlines have been shared with various internal stakeholders.
The team is now considering the recommendations and deciding how these will inform both continued improvement and enable new areas of collaboration.