The University of Exeter has been crowned winner of the International Whatuni Student Choice Award 2017 (WUSCA), as voted for by students. This is the second year the university has claimed the International title, after winning it in 2015 and narrowly missing out on a top 3 place in 2016.

Speaking to Hotcourses Abroad, Nikki Padget, Head of International Student Recruitment at the University of Exeter said she was 'delighted' with the result and feels it's more important than ever to listen to the views of students. 

What are the WUSCAs?
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) are the most comprehensive student voice awards in the UK. While league tables assess universities using complex methodology, the WUSCA relies solely on direct student reviews, meaning it's a transparent reflection of real student experiences.

A team of Whatuni outreach staff visit universities across the UK throughout the year to gather the reviews. This year over 26,000 students were surveyed, including over 3,100 international students.

Student opinions were recorded across 12 different categories:

• International 
• Job Prospects
• City Life
• Giving Back
• Student Support
• Uni Facilities
• Postgraduate
• Accommodation
• Student Union
• Clubs & Societies
• Courses & Lecturers
• Overall

Being an international student at Exeter
There are over 140 different student nationalities at Exeter with the top 10 from China, Singapore, India, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, the US and Italy, making for a diverse student body. And it's not just the students at Exeter that are from all corners of the world. The university employs academic staff from over 50 different countries too!

Exeter goes the extra mile to make its international students feel welcome. It hosts a scheme called 'Global Chums' which has over 300 student participants each year. International students are matched with a local student who is on hand to help them settle in during their first term. Many 'chums' remain friends for life and it's a hugely popular programme among local students, who face a competitive application process to get selected. 

A former Global Chum mentor said: "From being a mentor I have gained an insight into new cultures and have gained leadership skills in helping and answering my chums questions... I have also learnt many new things about the city from showing my chums around!" 

The University of Exeter boasts a beautiful 300 acre campus in Devon, South West England

What do students say about Exeter?
Who better to tell you why the University of Exeter is so great for international students than students themselves? Here are some of the reviews students have left on our sites...

Yunke GAO, Business & Management BA (Hons)
"I love this university and I wish I could spend four more years there. As an international student, my overall university experience is amazing and excellent.
I am really grateful and happy that I chose Exeter."

Charlie Abrines, International Relations BA (Hons)

"I had a great time at Exeter and met a huge array of different people whom I am still in contact with today. The options offered by Exeter allowed me to go to China and Canada. Make friends from India, Italy, Spain and the UK all of which was a highly rewarding experience as it made me broaden my horizons and gain an insight which I couldn't have otherwise."

Gregory, MBA
"It all began in Montreal, where I took a Bachelor of Commerce at Concordia University. During my studies there I developed an interest in international business - and that brought me to Exeter. I really wanted to broaden my worldview and expand my knowledge, and the MBA in International Studies was the way to do it. And on the Exeter programme, 50 students came from more than 40 countries, so it was a truly international environment."

Pallavi Desai, International Management MSc
"It was amazing!! I am glad I made my decision to join Uni of Exeter for my masters and I wish I could stay for uni life longer. I made a lot of new friends from different countries and considering the best education and stay facilities I had an awesome time through my year at exeter :D "

What supporting international students means
In a year of Brexit, Trump and unwelcoming visa policies, international students across the world have been thrown into a state of uncertainty, meaning support offered by universities is more needed than ever. This makes 2017 a great year to win the International award and is a reflection of the inclusive and welcoming environment Exeter has fostered for its valued international students. 

Full list of WUSCA 2017 winners:
 

Overall
1st Harper Adams University
2nd Loughborough University
3rd Bangor University

Student Support
1st Harper Adams University
2nd Leeds College of Art
3rd Edge Hill University

Clubs and Societies
1st Bangor University
2nd Loughborough University
3rd Harper Adams University

Accommodation
1st Edge Hill University
2nd Harper Adams University
3rd Loughborough University

City Life
1st University of Edinburgh
2nd University of Leeds
3rd Newcastle University

Job Prospects
1st Harper Adams University
2nd Loughborough University
3rd Royal Agricultural University

Student Union
1st University of Sheffield
2nd Loughborough University
3rd Harper Adams University

Course and Lecturers
1st Harper Adams University
2nd Leeds College of Art
3rd Bangor University

Uni Facilities
1st Loughborough University
2nd Leeds college of Art
3rd Harper Adams University

International
1st University of Exeter
2nd Aberystwyth University
3rd Swansea University

Postgraduate
1st Swansea University
2nd University of Exeter
3rd University of Lincoln

Giving Back
1st Loughborough University
2nd Harper Adams University
3rd Bangor University

Interested in studying at the University of Exeter? Check out the study options available!