Outstanding Student Support Award (Making a home in the UK): University of Sunderland in London’s proactive approach to student integration

5 minute read: read on to find out how the International Student Support team’s proactive and innovative support helped their growing Nepali student community feel welcomed, empowered and engaged. 

The International Student Support Team at the University of Sunderland in London was recognised with the #WeAreInternational Outstanding Student Support (Making a home in the UK) Award in 2025. It was celebrated for its proactive and innovative work supporting its growing Nepali student community. 

The team developed a comprehensive programme to support more than 1,500 Nepali students, helping them feel welcomed, empowered and engaged with university life in the UK. From travelling to Nepal to meet prospective students and their familes, to creating a dedicated Nepali Student Support Group, the initiative was designed to support students academically, socially and emotionally throughout their transition to life in London. 

The programme has helped create a strong sense of belonging on campus, and contributed to high levels of engagement. In a powerful example of that integration, a Nepali student was elected as Students’ Union President. 

We spoke to the team about their experience, the impact of the programme and what others can learn. 

Listening to prospective students and families 

The programme began with a visit to Nepal, where the International Student Support Team met prospective students and their families. Darren Ramsay, International Student Adviser, told us about the importance of engaging with families: 

“For many prospective students, family support – emotional, practical, and financial – is critical to them choosing to and being able to study at university. Even more so when the student will be studying far from home.  

“Families are key stakeholders in students’ decisions to about where to study, so engaging with them directly was just as important as with prospective students.” 

Engaging directly with families allowed the team to provide reassurance, better understand their concerns and shape support around students’ needs before they arrived in London.  

Creating a community away from home 

Drawing on what they had learned in Nepal, the university established a Nepali Student Support Group to help students settle in the UK. 

Darren explained: 

“Understanding what ‘home’ means to students was key. Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, is more than 4,500 miles from London, but we wanted to make it feel a little bit closer.” 

 Alongside practical advice on studying and living in London, the group helped students to build friendships and support networks through shared cultural activities, including music and food. 

The university also worked to foster a wider sense of community and belonging, helping students connect with their peers and the broader university community. The impact was reflected in student feedback, with one student describing the group as their “new London family.” 

The success of the programme can be seen in the confidence and engagement of students. Just three months after joining the university, a Nepali student was elected as Students’ Union President. 

What other institutions can learn 

Reflecting on the programme, the team shared three key lessons for other institutions: 

Be proactive: if you become aware of potential issues with integrating an international student cohort get a plan together before they start studying. 

Gather insight: talk to prospective students, their families, and agents on the ground. Listen to their expectations, dreams, and concerns.  

Involve other colleagues: draw on expertise and practical assistance from other departments to ensure lasting success. 

This award-winning initiative demonstrates how listening to students, families and communities can help international students not only settle into life in the UK, but truly feel at home. 

Want to read more winner stories? Visit awards.ukcisa.org.uk