International Student Survey 29 th September 2011.

International Student Survey

29th September 2011

2

Table of Contents

About EDge Interactive 3About Environics Research Group 4Methodology 5Executive Summary 6Deciding The School 13Deciding The Country 28Media Usage Habits & Behaviour 34Demographics 43Appendix 52

3

About EDge Interactive

At EDge Interactive, our mission is to help students find schools and schools find students. Our community includes 700,000 students, parent, counsellors and agents and more than 200 educational institutions in Canada and around the world. EDge is a privately owned, Canadian company based in Toronto. We have two divisions:

• Our SchoolFinder Group includes Schoolfinder.com, StudyinCanada.com and ScholarshipsCanada.com

• Our ezRecruit™ division provides Internet based customer relationship management (CRM) software to help schools manage relationships with students.

4

About Environics Research Group

Environics is Canada’s leading independent full-service research firm specializing in advanced data collection and analysis for:

•Public affairs•Consumer markets•Multicultural audiences

Environics’ consultants are specialists in all aspects of research design and analysis, with a reputation for accuracy, project management and special interpretative expertise, representing a wide-range of disciplines, including statistics, psychology, sociology, political science, marketing and advertising.

5

Methodology

International students: - intending to enroll in a college/universitycurrently enrolled in a college/university - already graduated from a college/university

5th August 2011 – 29th August 2011

Total Respondents (n) = 1353 Intending to enroll in college/university (high school) n=441 Currently enrolled in college/university n=492 Already graduated from a college/university n=420

Respondents

Timing

Sample Size

Email invitation to complete a 15 minute online surveyMethod

Media Usage Habits & Behaviour

Executive Summary

Deciding The School

Deciding The Country

Demographics

7

Executive Summary

Demographics• Significant male skew is prevalent among students in the major international

markets surveys – May be due to both cultural and economic reasons– Many have parents who entered higher education

• Note: Respondents from the African continent are more likely to be the first in their family to get higher education

School Selection• It is critical for schools to be on the top three school list

– More than half of the respondents applied to less than three schools

• Keep in mind the cost of education for foreign students– Scholarships, program, cost and academics are ranked highest in importance as

factors in deciding schools

8

Executive Summary

Research and Influence in School Choice• Key influencers in the decision making process are parents, friends, teachers

and professional consultants. – Literature oriented towards parents with information on safety and security etc.

may resonate. – Making alliances with professional consultants in key foreign markets and

providing them with custom promotional material of the university may help in increasing recruitment.

– High school students are more likely to use educational agents.

• School website is the most important source of information. – School’s printed material and current students at the school are also ranked high

in importance. – Create a group of current students who can interact with prospective students

and help them in making their decision.

9

Executive Summary

• Ranking systems (MacLean's) have significant importance and highly regarded.

• Informative websites such as StudyinCanada.com, ScholarshipsCanada.com and StudyCanada.ca are most often used to gather school information.

• Almost half don’t have any preference in terms of university or city size.

• Financial considerations and reputation of the school are the top final determining factor in school selection.

• Correlation between tuition cost and quality of education is an open debate with almost split views.

• Timeline for status updates is either ranked extremely or very important by more than 80% of respondents and two third expect to get the decision within three weeks.

10

Executive Summary

• Cultural background is significantly more important in certain regions such as Western Africa as compared to others. Overall less than a quarter consider it as either extremely or very important.

Selection of Country• Job opportunity, cost of studying and safety/ security are the top

considerations for studying in Canada.

• Almost all respondents believe help is required to settle in Canada and more than half had connections in Canada.

11

Executive Summary

Media and Communication• Overall, internet is the place to be

– Time spent online per week is the highest – Smart phone penetration is significant at 57% among the respondents

• Social media (Facebook) and email are most used methods to keep in touch with classmates & colleagues – Not used significantly to source school information– Facebook is used relatively more than Twitter

• There is strong desire for online services – Ability to apply for scholarship, searchable FAQ about schools or scholarships, – Ability to connect with someone in a specific school and tool to compare costs

between different schools.


Executive Summary

Deciding The School


Demographics

13

Deciding the School

• Since more than half of the respondents applied to less than three schools, it is critical to be on the top three school list.

• One third of respondents (college, university & graduated students) applied to only one school.

• The potential of attracting high school students is greater as they are applying to more schools outside their country.

• Keeping in mind the cost of education for foreign students, not surprisingly scholarships, program, cost and academics are ranked highest in importance as factors in determining schools.

14

Deciding the School

• Top influencers in the final selection of the school are parents, friends, teachers and professional consultants. We need to develop and provide information to target these groups.

• School website is the most important source of information. School’s printed material and current students at the school are also ranked high in importance.

• StudyinCanada, ScholarshipsCanada and StudyCanada are the most used websites to gather school information.

• Ranking systems have significant importance and many believers. Almost three fourth of the respondents believe in the importance of ranking systems and Canadian ranking (MacLean's) were most used, especially by high school students.

15

Deciding the School

• High school students are more likely to use educational agents and almost half don’t have any preference in terms of university or city size.

• On the other hand, college & university students preferred larger universities and cities.

• Accessibility and safety are the top reasons for city size preference.

• More than 80% respondents consider timeline for status updates either extremely or very important and two third expect to get the decision within three weeks.

• Less than a quarter consider cultural background as either extremely or very important.

• Financial considerations and reputation of the school are the top criteria in school selection.

16

More than half of the respondents applied to less than three schools. One third of respondents (college, university & graduated students) applied to only one school.

High School Students (n=441)

College & University Students (492)

Graduated Students (n=420)

13%

34%

33%

42%

38%

28%

13%

12%

7%

12%

6%

6%

20%

10%

26%

Only 1 2-3 4-5 More than 5 Not sure

# of School Applied to

17

in Canada

in USA

in UK

in Australia

Within my country

Within my city

Other Country

88%

28%

14%

14%

9%

9%

5%

High School students are applying to more schools outside their country.

I will apply/have applied to schools…

High School Students n=441

College & University Students n=492

Graduated Students n=420

59%

11%

7%

4%

29%

33%

6%

47%

16%

11%

8%

26%

24%

12%

18

Scholarships

Cost

Program

Academics

Job Placement Record

Career Services

Location

Accommodation

Overall Ranking

Campus Safety/Security

Community

Religious or Cultural considerations

What my friends & family say

Social Aspects

Co-op

Athletics

School Size

Food

57%

39%

31%

30%

19%

16%

15%

15%

12%

12%

9%

8%

7%

7%

6%

6%

5%

4%

Scholarships, program and cost are ranked most important as factors in determining schools. Location & Overall Ranking are more important to college, university and graduated students.

Important Factors in Determining Schools (Top 3)

41%

40%

43%

37%

15%

9%

27%

9%

24%

6%

6%

5%

12%

7%

7%

4%

6%

3%

53%

35%

40%

37%

19%

20%

17%

13%

16%

8%

8%

6%

6%

8%

4%

3%

4%

3%




19

Parents

Teachers

Professional Consultants

Friends

Guidance Conselors

Siblings

Alumni

Current Students

Extended family

Other

Grandparents

59%

40%

38%

37%

32%

22%

19%

19%

19%

10%

4%

Parents, friends, teachers & professional consultants exert highest influence on school selection.High school students rely more on professional consultants and are more likely to use them.

Decision Influencers (Top 3)

62%

38%

30%

48%

26%

15%

15%

31%

21%

9%

4%

56%

44%

32%

49%

21%

20%

20%

22%

19%

11%

5%




Pay an educational agent 21% 9% 9%

Preferences - Agents

20

School’s Website

School’s Printed Material

Campus Tour

School’s Staff Member

Student at the School

School’s Blog

School’s Facebook Page

School’s Podcasts

School’s YouTube Page

School’s Mobile Application

School’s Twitter Page

Other

71%

37%

36%

34%

34%

23%

22%

10%

10%

10%

9%

4%

School website is the most important source of information, followed by printed material & current student.School’s Facebook Page is most important social media source. Blogs are important for high school students.

Important Sources of School Information (Top 3)




80%

49%

29%

30%

44%

13%

23%

5%

8%

6%

8%

3%

75%

37%

28%

34%

36%

21%

25%

7%

8%

11%

13%

3%

21

StudyinCanada.com

StudyCanada.ca

Canadian Government Websites

SchoolFinder.com

Education fairs/ Exhibitions

GradSchoolFinder.com

CampusStarter.com

Newspapers

Education411.com

Radio/Television

67%59%

54%41%

37%37%35%

21%16%16%15%13%12%12%12%11%10%8%6%5%

StudyinCanada.com, ScholarshipsCanada.com and StudyCanada.ca are the most used websites.Students prefer online sources of information to print mediums.

Sources Used/ Plan to Use For Canadian Colleges/ Universities




44%42%

32%19%20%

12%30%

20%18%

27%5%

12%1%

13%10%

3%2%5%

2%11%

72%53%

42%33%

27%21%

38%8%8%15%17%

9%1%6%10%

3%3%6%

2%7%

22

Yes, ranking system is important

Canadian Ranking i.e. Macleans

International Ranking i.e. Times Higher, QS World,

etc

Other ranking systems

0.714285714285715

0.812698412698416

0.273015873015874

0.0317460317460317

Almost three fourth of the respondents believe in the importance of ranking systems and Canadian ranking (MacLean's) were most used, especially by high school students.

Ranking Systems




0.735772357723579

0.660220994475139

0.397790055248619

0.0911602209944752

0.723809523809525

0.651315789473685

0.355263157894737

0.111842105263158

n=315 n=362 n=304

23

Small university (less than 2,500 students)

Medium university (2,500 – 5,000 students)

Large university (more than 5,000 students)

No preference

Small city / town (Less than 50,000)

Medium city / town (50,000 – 250,000)

Large city (More than 250,000)

No preference

6%

24%

23%

47%

6%

25%

25%

44%

Almost half don’t have any preference in terms of university or city size. Medium or large institutions can leverage their location and size.

Preferences – University Size/ City Size




5%

26%

34%

35%

7%

30%

34%

29%

5%

30%

25%

41%

5%

29%

25%

40%

Ideal University Size

Ideal City Size

24

Accessibility i.e. transportation

Safety

Community

Culture i.e. food, events, religion

Entertainment i.e. music, sports, festivals

Same size as my current place of residence

Other

73%

69%

51%

47%

42%

14%

4%

Accessibility and safety are the top reasons for city size preference.

Top 3 Reason for City Size Preference

75%

60%

50%

47%

49%

15%

4%

69%

67%

47%

50%

43%

19%

6%




25

43%

42%

35%

42%

40%

46%

11%

13%

14%

2%

3%

3%

2%

3%

3%


College & University Students (n=492)


Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Slightly importantNot at all important

19%

15%

13%

29%

24%

26%

23%

26%

22%

14%

22%

24%

15%

13%

15%

1 week 2 weeks3 weeks 4 weeks or moreDoes not matter

More than 80% respondents consider timeline for status updates either extremely or very important and two third expect to get the decision within three weeks.

Importance of Timeline

Timeline for Status Updates Expected Timeline for Decision

26

Financial considerations

Reputation

Conversation with family member or friend

Communication from staff member

Information session/campus tour organized by school

Other

Communication from current student

Conversation with an agent

Communication from alumni

Reception organized by school

30%

22%

17%

8%

6%

6%

4%

2%

2%

2%

Top criteria for final decision are financial considerations and reputation of the school.

Final Determining Factors



40%

18%

8%

10%

7%

2%

4%

3%

3%

4%


Executive Summary

Deciding The School


Demographics

28


• Almost all respondents believe help is required to settle in Canada. Most respondents attributed their parents help to get them through this phase.

• Correlation between tuition cost and quality of education is an open debate with almost split views. 53% of high school students believe a positive correlation as opposed to 41% college & university students and 49% of graduated students.

• Connections in a foreign country does help in the settlement process. More than half of the respondents had connections in Canada. Relatively, higher percentage of college and university students had connections in Canada.

• Job opportunity, cost of studying and safety/ security are the top considerations for studying in Canada.

29

53% of high school students believe a positive correlation between tuition cost and quality of education as opposed to 41% college & university students and 49% of graduated students.

Yes53%

No47%

Tuition Cost is Related to Quality of Education




Yes41%

No59%

Yes49%

No51%

30

Family – immediate family

Family – extended family

Friends – from school

Friends – friends of family

Other

None of the above

8%

22%

20%

22%

5%

46%

More than half of the respondents had connections in Canada. Relatively, higher percentage of college and university students had connections in Canada.

Connections in Canada




23%

34%

38%

29%

4%

26%

7%

22%

26%

19%

5%

45%

31

Yes, help required to settle in Canada

Parents

Family

Extended family

Someone you know living in Canada

Contacts at your prospective school

Teachers at your current school

Agents

0.923076923076923

0.666666666666667

0.438888888888889

0.438888888888889

0.427777777777778

0.375

0.338888888888889

0.313888888888889

Almost all respondents believe help is required to settle in Canada and parents were the ones who helped them the most.

Who Helped to Settle in Canada (Top 3)




0.927835051546392

0.466666666666667

0.133333333333333

0.107407407407407

0.144444444444445

0.0777777777777778

0.0407407407407408

0.0296296296296296

0.92462311557789

0.298913043478261

0.119565217391304

0.125

0.135869565217391

0.141304347826087

0.0978260869565217

0.0815217391304348

N=270 N=184N=240

32

Job opportunities

Safety/Security

Country Ranking (i.e. Human Development Index)

Cultural acceptance

Immigration laws

Environmental awareness

Accessibility to the US

Food - diversity, provisions

53%

39%

30%

27%

23%

22%

22%

20%

19%

13%

9%

6%

5%

5%

4%

3%

Job opportunity, cost of studying and safety/ security are the top considerations for studying in Canada.

Top 3 Considerations for Studying in Canada

52%

36%

27%

21%

26%

20%

30%

21%

20%

14%

4%

5%

7%

7%

5%

5%

55%

40%

31%

23%

21%

27%

21%

20%

20%

11%

6%

6%

8%

5%

5%

4%





Executive Summary

Deciding The School


Demographics

34


• Internet is the place to be. Time spent online per week is the highest, especially for personal communication and studies/ research / work.

• Smart phone penetration is significant at 57% among the respondents. Most often used for text messages, emails, social media and for browsing the net.

• Laptop/ desktop, Facebook and instant messaging are frequently used (more than once a week).

• Facebook and email are most used methods to keep in touch with classmates & colleagues.

• Ability to apply for scholarship is the most desired online feature.

35

Time spent on the net per week is the highest, especially for personal communication and studies/ research / work. There is limited time spent reading newspapers and magazines.

Online for personal communication, studies/research/work

Reading books

Online for news/entertainment

Texting, surfing, using apps, etc. on your phone

Online for social media

Watching TV

Online for video (YouTube, movies, TV, etc)

Reading newspaper

Listening to the radio

On some form of public transportation

Reading magazines

Play video games

38%

25%

17%

16%

15%

11%

11%

10%

8%

8%

4%

4%

32%

29%

24%

19%

25%

18%

17%

16%

13%

19%

11%

7%

22%

28%

34%

28%

31%

38%

33%

33%

22%

30%

28%

15%

7%

14%

20%

27%

22%

23%

28%

32%

35%

27%

39%

30%

2%

4%

5%

11%

7%

9%

11%

9%

22%

16%

18%

45%

More than 10 hours per week 5 -10 hours per week 1-5 hours per weekLess than 1 hours per week Never

Media Usage & Habits

n=1354

36

Comparatively more time is spent reading books in Western Africa & Southern Asia. Use of internet is marginally lower in Eastern Africa .

Media Usage & Habits by Region

Total Canada Southern Asia Eastern Africa Middle East Western Africa

Bases (1353) (211) (168) (159) (140) (130)

More than 10 hours per week

Online for personal communication, studies/research/work

38% 39% 37% 30% 43% 42%

Reading books 25% 12% 31% 32% 23% 35%

Online for news/entertainment 17% 18% 19% 11% 17% 18%

Texting, surfing, using apps, etc. on your phone

16% 21% 19% 16% 10% 15%

Online for social media 15% 19% 15% 14% 16% 11%

Watching television 11% 9% 15% 10% 11% 15%

Online for video (YouTube, movies, TV, etc)

11% 14% 14% 6% 11% 6%

Reading the newspaper(dailies and weeklies)

10% 5% 14% 13% 9% 16%

Listening to the radio 8% 7% 4% 11% 4% 14%

On some form of public transportation

8% 9% 11% 6% 6% 8%

Reading magazines 4% 2% 2% 8% 4% 8%

Play video games (console, handheld or PC, on or off-line)

4% 4% 5% 3% 2% 5%

37

57% of respondents use a smart phone.

Regular cell phone39%

iPhone11%

BlackBerry12%

Android8%

Windows Phon

e 71%

Other smart phon

e 25%

No cell phone4%

Phone Ownership

Total (n=1353)

38

Cell phones are most often used for text messages, emails, social media and for browsing the net. Nearly half of respondents never search or download an application.

Send & receive text

Send and receive email

Use social media

Browse websites

Open links received in e-mail

Sign up for offers using text

Search for an app made by the school you want to attend or currently attending

Watch video

Play games

Search for an app made by a brand you like

Download a new app

Online Banking

67%

35%

33%

32%

22%

15%

13%

9%

9%

8%

8%

4%

17%

14%

17%

17%

15%

10%

11%

12%

13%

10%

7%

7%

9%

10%

11%

12%

11%

11%

12%

15%

17%

15%

17%

10%

4%

8%

7%

8%

9%

14%

13%

14%

21%

18%

24%

14%

4%

33%

32%

31%

43%

50%

51%

51%

40%

49%

44%

65%

More than once a day Once a day Once a week Once a month Never

Phone Usage Habits

n=1354

39

Laptop/ desktop, Facebook and instant messaging are frequently used (more than once a week). Facebook and email are most used methods to keep in touch with classmates & colleagues.

Heavy Users of Technology

Total (n=1353)

Laptop or desktop com-

puter

WiFi enabled devices

(e.g.iPod)

Netbook

WiFi gaming consoles

Tablets

94%

15%

11%

8%

6%

Facebook

Instant messaging

Twitter

LinkedIn

Online education forums (gmatclub)

Other Social Media Site

Groupon, Living social etc.

None of the above

Tumblr

Foursquare

Yelp

84%

65%

20%

17%

15%

7%

7%

3%

3%

2%

1%

Facebook

Email

Text messaging

Meeting up in person

Skype

Google, Yahoo, MSN groups

Alumni events

LinkedIn

Alumni emails or newsletters

Smart Phone App

Other

84%

77%

59%

42%

42%

37%

13%

11%

7%

3%

3%

Use More Than Once a Week

Methods Used to Keep in Touch with Classmates & Colleagues

Use More Than Once a Week

40

Ability to apply for scholarship is the most desired online feature.

Usefulness of Online features

Ability to apply for scholarships online

Searchable FAQ about schools or scholarships of interest

Ability to connect with someone in a specific school or program of interest to you

Tool to compare the costs between different schools

Tool to compare the costs between different cities/countries

Summary of official rankings of a school or program

Online ratings and reviews from students

76%

58%

54%

54%

49%

47%

40%

16%

29%

31%

30%

32%

35%

41%

4%

9%

9%

10%

14%

12%

12%

2%

3%

3%

3%

4%

4%

4%

Very Useful Somewhat Useful Not Very Useful Not Useful at All

n=1354

41

Fewer respondents in Canada consider receiving text messages useful as compared to other major international markets. This could be attributed to the cost involved with receiving these messages in Canada.

Usefulness of Text Messages

Receive text messages regarding deadlines or offers from colleges and universities

Receive text messages regarding offers from companies

52%

38%

26%

28%

4%

9%

2%

3%

Very Useful Somewhat Useful Not Very Useful Not Useful at All

n=1354

Top 2 Box Total Canada Southern Asia Eastern Africa Middle East Western AfricaBases (1353) (211) (168) (159) (140) (130)

Receive text messages regarding deadlines or offers from colleges and universities 79% 64% 88% 87% 77% 90%Receive text messages regarding offers from companies 65% 44% 79% 75% 66% 83%


Executive Summary

Deciding The School


Demographics

43

Skew towards male and older students (25+ years).

Demographics

38% 62%

17 and under 18 to 21 22 to 24 25 + Over 5,000,000

2,000,000 – less than 5,000,000

500,000 – less than

2,000,000

250,000 – less than 500,000

Under 250,0005%

27% 23%

45%

28% 24% 22%12% 14%

Age Population of City of Residence

Gender

n=1354

Significant male skew in major international markets possibly due to cultural and economic reasons.

Nearly half of respondents are aged 25+ years:

- Students graduate at higher age - There are more mature college

and university students

44

Significant male skew in major international markets.

Demographics by Region

Total CanadaSouthern

AsiaEastern Africa

Middle EastWestern Africa

Bases (1353) (211) (168) (159) (140) (130)

GENDERMales 62% 37% 79% 77% 75% 86%

Females 38% 63% 21% 23% 25% 14%

AGE

17 and under 5% 10% 2% 3% 3% 2%

18 to 21 27% 50% 22% 18% 14% 17%

22 to 24 23% 13% 30% 25% 29% 21%

25 + 45% 27% 46% 54% 55% 60%

Community

Over 5,000,000 28% 14% 38% 19% 29% 42%

2,000,000 – less than 5,000,000

24% 19% 15% 34% 26% 30%

500,000 – less than 2,000,000

22% 33% 14% 30% 24% 15%

250,000 – less than 500,000

12% 18% 14% 11% 7% 5%

Under 250,000 14% 17% 18% 7% 14% 8%

45


College & University Students (492)


32%

36%

34%

39%

41%

41%

28%

22%

23%

1%

1%

2%

Top 5% of class Above average of class Average of class Below average of class

More or less equal split between high school, college & university and graduated students. One third of the respondents are A+ students.

28%

5%

31%

6%

31% Planning on enrolling in a universityPlanning on enrolling in a collegeCurrently enrolled in a universityCurrently enrolled in a col-legeGraduated from a college or university

Academic Performance

Education Status

46

More than half of the respondents reside in Canada, Southern Asia, Eastern or Western Africa and Middle East and live in two million plus cities.

Canada

Southern

Asia

Eastern

Afri

ca

Middle East

& W.C. A

sia

Weste

rn A

frica

South A

merica

South-east

Asia

Northern

Afri

ca

Eastern

Asia

Caribbean &

Bermuda

Central A

merica

Northern

Europe

Central A

frica

North A

merica

Weste

rn Euro

pe

Eastern

Europe

Southern

Europe

Southern

Afri

ca

Oceania

16%

12% 12%10% 10%

7%5% 5%

4%3% 3%

2% 2% 2% 2% 2%1% 1%

0%

Country of Residence*

*Region definitions are available in the full report n=1354

47

More than half of the respondents reside in Canada, Southern Asia, Eastern or Western Africa and Middle East.

Country of Residence

TOTAL High School Students

College & University Students Graduated Students

Bases (1353) (441) (492) (420)

Source Country*

Canada 16% 8% 32% 5%Southern Asia 12% 16% 9% 12%Eastern Africa 12% 17% 5% 14%West Central Asia & Middle East

10% 11% 8% 13%

Western Africa 10% 12% 5% 12%South America 7% 7% 7% 9%South-east Asia 5% 6% 5% 5%Northern Africa 5% 4% 2% 10%Eastern Asia 4% 3% 6% 2%Caribbean & Bermuda 3% 5% 2% 2%Central America 3% 3% 4% 3%Northern Europe 2% 0% 4% 2%Central Africa 2% 3% 1% 3%North America 2% 1% 3% 1%Western Europe 2% 1% 2% 2%Eastern Europe 2% 1% 1% 3%Southern Europe 1% 1% 1% 2%Southern Africa 1% 1% 1% 0%Oceania 0% 0% 0% 1%

*Region definitions are available in the appendix

48

More than half of the respondents reside in two million plus cities.

Demographics

TOTAL High School Students

College & University Students Graduated Students

Bases (1353) (441) (492) (420)

GENDERMales 62% 67% 50% 71%

Females 38% 33% 50% 29%

AGE

17 and under 5% 13% 2% 0%

18 to 21 27% 26% 47% 5%

22 to 24 23% 17% 24% 28%

25 + 45% 44% 28% 67%

Community

Over 5,000,000 28% 28% 24% 32%

2,000,000 – less than 5,000,000

24% 24% 23% 24%

500,000 – less than 2,000,000

22% 20% 23% 23%

250,000 – less than 500,000

12% 13% 13% 10%

Under 250,000 14% 15% 17% 11%

49

Parents of two third of respondents attended college or university. The percentage is lower in the African continent.

Attended College/

University64%

Didn't At-tend Col-

lege/ Univer-

sity36%

Parents Attended College or University

Total (n=1353)

Total Canada Southern Asia Eastern Africa Middle East Western Africa

Bases (1353) (211) (168) (159) (140) (130)

Attended College/ University 64% 74% 68% 52% 69% 54%

50

Contact:

Robin Brown

Senior Vice President

Consumer Insights Division

Environics Research Group33

Bloor Street East, Suite 900

Toronto, Ontario M4W 3H1Tel:

416-920-9010

Fax: 416-920-3299

Chris Wilkins - [email protected] Faeza Afzal - [email protected] Ray Barcarse – [email protected]

EDge Interactive67 Mowat Avenue, Suite 533Toronto, Ontario M1W 2S7Toll Free: [email protected]

Appendix

52

Questionnaire

1 – GENERAL QUESTIONS1.1 Are you a Canadian citizen?1.2 What country do you live in?1.3 Tell us a bit about you.1.4 How old are you? 1.5 Gender?1.6 What is the population of the city/town where you live? 1.7 Did either of your parents or guardians attend college or university?1.8 Please select the statement that best describes you.

FUTURE STUDENTS – COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY INTENDERS2 – SCHOOL INFORMATION2.1 Please indicate your curriculum (i.e. course type) 2.2 In what year of study are you? 2.3 Please indicate which group best describes your academic performance

3 – DECIDING ON WHICH SCHOOLS3.1 How many schools are you considering applying to? 3.2 Please select those that apply to you. 3.3 Select the 3 most important factors in determining which schools you consider? 3.3.1 Of the remaining factors, which are also important in determining which schools you consider? 3.4 Who are the 3 most important groups of individuals influencing your decision to apply?3.5 Select the 5 most important sources of school information in determining your school selection?3.6 Which of the following do you plan to use to obtain information on Canadian colleges and/or universities? 3.7 Are ranking systems important for your school decision?3.7.1 If Yes, which ones?

53

Questionnaire

3.8 Do you plan to pay an educational agent to help you find and apply to a school? 3.9 What is the ideal university size for you?3.10 What is your ideal class size? 3.11 What is the ideal city size for your university studies? 3.11.1 Choose the top 3 reasons you prefer this city size: 3.12 How important is it to attend a school with people who have a similar cultural background (i.e. from hometown, ethnicity,

religion, etc.)?3.13 How important is it to know the timeline for status updates throughout your application process? 3.13.1 How quickly would you expect a school to make a decision on your application status (in weeks)?

4 – DECIDING ON WHICH COUNTRY4.1 Do you agree with the statement “tuition cost is related to the quality of education”?4.2 Do you have any connections in Canada? 4.3 Rank your top 3 most important considerations for studying in Canada4.4 Is it important to have help and support getting settled in Canada? 4.4.1 If so, who are the top 3 people helping you prepare for going to a new country? COLLEGE & UNVERSITY STUDENTS/GRADUATES5 – SCHOOL INFORMATION5.1 Are {Did} you studying at a school in Canada? 5.2 What type of degree are {were} you enrolled for?5.3 You are a? {Were you a} 5.4 Please indicate which group best describes your academic performance 5.5 What is your current living situation?

54

Questionnaire

6 – DECIDING ON WHICH SCHOOLS6.1 How many schools did you apply to?6.2 Please select those that apply to you. 6.3 Select the 3 most important factors in determining which schools you considered?6.3.1 Of the remaining factors, which were also important in determining which schools you considered? 6.4 Who were the 3 most important groups of individuals influencing your decision to apply?6.5 Select the 5 most important sources of school information in determining your school selection?6.6 Which of the following did you use to obtain information on Canadian colleges and/or universities? 6.7 Were ranking systems important for your school decision? 6.7.1 If Yes, which ones? 6.8 Did you pay an educational agent to help you find and apply to a school? 6.9 What is the ideal university size for you?6.10 What is your ideal class size?6.11 What is the ideal city size for your university studies? 6.11.1 Choose the top 3 reasons you prefer {preferred} this city size: 6.12 How important was it to attend a school with people who have a similar cultural background (i.e. from hometown, ethnicity,

religion, etc.)?6.13 How important was it to know the timeline for status updates throughout your application process? 6.13.1 How quickly did you expect a school to make a decision on your application status (in weeks)? 6.14 What was the final determining factor in your acceptance to your {school} current school?

55

Questionnaire

7 – DECIDING ON WHICH COUNTRY7.1 Do you agree with the statement “tuition cost is related to the quality of education”?7.2 Do you have any connections in Canada? 7.3 Rank your top 3 most important considerations for studying in Canada?7.4 Is it important to have help and support getting settled in Canada?7.4.1 If so, who are the top 3 people who helped you prepare for going to a new country?

MEDIA USAGE AND BEHAVIOUR8 – ONLINE ACTIVITIES: USAGE & HABITS8.1 How much time do you spend doing the following activities?8.2 What cell phone do you use?8.3 How often do you use your phone to:8.4 What other connected devices do you use more than once a week? 8.5 Which of these websites or online services do you use more than once a week? 8.6 Which of the following do you use to keep in touch with past classmates and school colleagues?

9 – ONLINE FEATURES9.1 How useful would each of the following online features be in your decision to apply to a school?

56

Region Definition

AmericaNorth America Caribbean and BermudaGreenland AnguillaSaint Pierre and Miquelon Antigua and BarbudaUnited States ArubaCentral America BahamasBelize BarbadosCosta Rica BermudaEl Salvador Cayman IslandsGuatemala CubaHonduras DominicaMexico Dominican RepublicNicaragua GrenadaPanama GuadeloupeSouth America HaitiArgentina JamaicaBolivia MartiniqueBrazil MontserratChile Netherlands AntillesColombia Puerto RicoEcuador Saint Kitts and NevisFalkland Islands (Malvinas) Saint LuciaFrench Guiana Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesGuyana Trinidad and TobagoParaguay Turks and Caicos IslandsPeru Virgin Islands, BritishSuriname Virgin Islands, United StatesUruguayVenezuela

57

Region Definition

EuropeNorthern Europe Eastern EuropeIreland, Republic of (Eire) BulgariaScandinavia Czech RepublicDenmark Slovakia.Finland HungaryIceland PolandNorway RomaniaSweden Baltic Republics, Former SovietUnited Kingdom EstoniaSouthern Europe LatviaAlbania LithuaniaAndorra BelarusGibraltar Moldova, Republic ofGreece Russian FederationItaly UkraineMalta Union of Soviet Socialist RepublicsPortugal Western EuropeSan Marino AustriaSpain BelgiumVatican City State FranceBosnia and Herzegovina GermanyCroatia LiechtensteinMacedonia LuxembourgSlovenia MonacoYugoslavia Netherlands

Switzerland

58

Region Definition

AfricaNorthern Africa Western Africa Eastern AfricaAlgeria Benin BurundiEgypt Burkina Faso ComorosLibya Cape Verde DjiboutiMorocco Côte d'Ivoire EritreaSudan Gambia EthiopiaTunisia Ghana KenyaWestern Sahara Guinea MadagascarSouthern Africa Liberia MalawiBotswana Mali MauritiusLesotho Mauritania MayotteNamibia Niger MozambiqueSouth Africa, Republic of Nigeria RéunionSwaziland Saint Helena RwandaCentral Africa Senegal SeychellesAngola Sierre Leone SomaliaCameroon Togo TanzaniaCentral African Republic UgandaChad ZambiaCongo ZimbabweEquitorial GuineaGabonSao Tome and PrincipeZaire

59

Region Definition

Asia OceaniaWest Central Asia and the Middle East Eastern Asia American SamoaAfghanistan China, People's Republic of AustraliaCyprus Hong Kong Cook IslandsIran Japan FijiMiddle East Korea, North French PolynesiaBahrain Korea, South GuamIraq Macau KiribatiIsrael Mongolia Marshall IslandsJordan Taiwan MicronesiaKuwait South-east Asia NauruLebanon Brunei Darussalam New CaledoniaOman Cambodia New ZealandPalestine/West Bank/Gaza Strip Indonesia PalauQatar Laos Papua New GuineaSaudi Arabia Malaysia PitcairnSyria Myanmar SamoUnited Arab Emirates Philippines Solomon IslandsYemen Singapore TongaTurkey Thailand TuvaluKazakstan Viet Nam VanuataKyrgyzstan Southern Asia Wallis and FutunaTajikistan BangladeshTurkmenistan BhutanUzebekistan IndiaArmenia MaldivesAzerbaijan NepalGeorgia Pakistan

Sri Lanka

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Number of International Students in Canada

Foreign students present on December 1st by province or territory

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Newfoundland and Labrador 1,202 1,377 1,514 1,522 1,698

Prince Edward Island 404 476 517 653 729

Nova Scotia 5,465 5,434 5,794 6,608 7,911

New Brunswick 3,177 3,225 3,256 3,283 3,513

Quebec 25,839 27,000 27,920 30,566 32,209

Ontario 63,719 65,398 65,666 72,925 85,253

Manitoba 5,137 5,251 4,864 5,381 5,706

Saskatchewan 3,485 3,520 3,645 3,959 4,336

Alberta 12,931 13,823 14,370 15,557 16,281

British Columbia 48,426 50,142 50,141 55,449 60,460

Territories 85 93 84 69 60

Total 169,870 175,746 177,772 195,973 218,161

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

International Student Survey 29 th September 2011.

Documents

Transcript of International Student Survey 29 th September 2011.