The poll found overseas students spent less on drink

A total of 85% valued their courses and rated the standard of teaching as good, 74% said support with academic work was good and 86% valued IT provision.

And 37% of those questioned would like to work in the UK after their studies.

The 357 overseas undergraduates and postgraduates were surveyed by Mori for the student accommodation group Unite.

The international students were part of a group of 1,025 students at 20 UK universities surveyed last autumn for a series of annual surveys of students' experiences.

Fewer debt fears

The study showed international students had fewer concerns about finances than their British peers, with the average overseas respondent expecting to owe �2,648 after graduation compared to �9,692 for the average UK respondent.

And 68% of international students did not anticipate having any debt to clear, compared to 15% of UK students.

It is great news that there appears to be good levels of integration between UK and international students Issahaku Kotomah, NUS

But only 33% rated the help from university careers services to find part-time work during term time as good.

The poll found overseas students were less likely to spend their cash on alcohol, with 52% spending nothing on drink in a typical week, compared to 24% of UK students.

The survey suggested UK students valued studying alongside those from other cultures, with 75% saying meeting international students was a valuable part of the student experience.

And 78% of the international respondents said they felt they had learnt a lot about the UK and other cultures from having studied at an overseas university.

'Enriching experience'

A Universities UK spokesperson said: "The evidence suggests that UK higher educations institutions are providing international students with a valuable and enriching experience.

"The report also provides us with a useful insight into UK students' perspectives of international students.

"It is particularly pleasing to see that 75% of UK students believe that meeting their international alumni was a valuable part of their own student experience."

But the National Union of Students raised concerns about the number surveyed.

"We do have some concerns over whether it is possible to generalise about international students' experience when the survey appears to sample just 357 international students who are not differentiated into EU and non-EU students - an important distinction given the different funding arrangements," said NUS international students officer Issahaku Kotomah.

"However, going on what the survey results suggest, we would welcome the fact that such a high proportion of students appear to have such a positive view of their university, and of the standard of teaching and lecturing they receive," he added.

"It is good news that international students are being consulted on their experiences at university.

"It is also great news that there appears to be good levels of integration between UK and international students."

Bill Rammell, the Higher Education Minister, said: "The UK is a leading player in international education with universities and colleges offering students the opportunity to access world class education and internationally recognised qualifications.