Understanding What's Going On With Your Students

While pursuing a postgraduate degree can be rewarding, it can also be isolating.

🔹Students have to spend long hours on independent research, making it difficult to socialize.
🔹Typically the programs are also shorter and highly specialized, meaning students have a smaller peer group than undergraduates.
🔹 Fewer structured social events exist at the PG level compared to UG, making organic networking more difficult.
🔹 International PG students face additional challenges—moving to a new country, adapting to a different academic environment, and balancing work alongside studies.

Despite these challenges, having a strong community is essential for PG students—not only to create friendships but also to enhance retention, create academic collaboration, and ensure students make the most out of their experience.

At Goin’, we’ve seen PG students actively seeking both practical discussions and social opportunities in their new cities. While they may have serious conversations about research topics or career paths, they also want to explore their surroundings, find events, and build friendships—just like undergraduates.

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What Are Postgraduates Discussing?

In Goin’ communities that include PG students, we’ve seen lively engagement on topics such as:

1️⃣ Housing & Accommodation – Finding roommates, sharing rental advice, or navigating student housing in a new country.
2️⃣ Career & Industry Networking – Connecting with alumni, discussing job prospects, and sharing insights on internships or placements.
3️⃣ Academic Collaboration – Finding study partners, sharing research interests, and supporting each other through the intensity of postgraduate coursework.
4️⃣ Work-Life Balance & Mental Well-being – Managing stress, maintaining motivation, and finding ways to balance study, work, and personal life.
5️⃣ Exploring the City – Discovering restaurants, events, and fun activities to do outside of studies.

By providing a space for these discussions, universities can ensure their PG students don’t feel isolated but instead feel part of a thriving, engaged community.

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Who’s Already Doing This?

Many institutions across the world are leveraging Goin’ to create dedicated postgraduate communities alongside their undergraduate networks. Here are few that as seen the effects of hosting a community:

Hult International Business School

Hult provides separate spaces for both UG and PG students, ensuring that neither group is left out. In 2024, their PG community recorded:

📌 >51,000+ connections made
📌 >210,000+ messages exchanged

This made Hult’s PG community one of the most engaged on Goin’—demonstrating that when given the opportunity, PG students are just as eager to connect.

💬 “I was going to Boston alone, so I was I nervous about who my classmates would be. With Goin', it's easier to connect with my classmates, meet them virtually and feel more secured when  starting classes.”

Hertie School

As an institution primarily focused on master’s students, Hertie uses Goin’ to:
✔️ Facilitate discussions on essential student practicalities (housing, visas, student services and events).
✔️ Create many groups to support their students, to name a few: Housing, Discovering Berlin, and Tips on finding part-time jobs.
✔️On average Hertie students are now connected with >12 other students going to Hertie!

💬 “Goin’ definitely saved my life a couple of times before arriving! It helped me talk to the others students and ask practical questions Moreover, some of my first friends here I found through Goin’!”

RMIT University

For international PG students moving to Australia, the transition can be daunting. RMIT ensures that students connect early, prepare for what’s ahead, and find their support network before arrival.

Since launching in 2024, RMIT’s PG community has grown significantly, with:
📌 11,000+ student connections
📌 Focused discussion groups on topics such as Housing, Semester Kickoffs, and Study programs
📌Dedicated Discover page for more essential topics like Arrival tips, practical study advise and important deadlines for students to stay ahead on.

💬 “I made many new friends and it also helped me feel more at ease when it comes to the admission process. It helped get my doubts cleared and made my life easier.”

University College London

UCL is one of Goin’s largest and most active communities, with a diverse range of interests being shared across the platform. Many of their most popular groups center around postgraduate and master’s students. These students are using Goin’ to find answers to:

✔️ Housing and accommodation options – finding roommates to swapping rooms and securing long-term stays.
✔️ Course selection and timetables – discussing module choices, exam schedules, and balancing workloads.
✔️ Social and networking opportunities – organizing meetups, attending UCL events, and building professional connections.

💬“Being able to join different groups based on my interests made it a lot easier for me to find like-minded students.”

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How Goin’ Helps Universities Engage PG Students

Goin’ specializes in creating enclosed, university-specific communities, ensuring that:

✔️ Effortless Engagement – No heavy administration is required from staff.
✔️ Self-Sustaining Moderation – Students naturally guide discussions and answer each other’s questions.
✔️ 24/7 Student Support – Students receive help from fellow students, reducing staff workload.
✔️ Focused Community Building – Unlike traditional social media, Goin’ is free from distractions, helping students form genuine connections that matter.

This is especially valuable for PG students, who often juggle academics, research, and personal responsibilities—and may not have the time or opportunity to engage in traditional networking.

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When Should Universities Act?

Feeling isolated during postgraduate studies is common, but it doesn’t have to be the norm.

The next time you assess your recruitment and retention efforts, ask yourself:
✅ Are our PG students feeling supported and connected?
✅ Do they have a space to engage beyond academics?
✅ Are we maximizing community-driven retention strategies?

If the answer is uncertain, then Goin’ can help.

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Next Steps: Ensure Your PG Students Feel Connected

PG students are not disengaged—they simply engage differently. The data proves that when given the opportunity, they form more connections on average than undergraduates. By creating structured, supportive, and accessible communities, universities can turn isolation into engagement, increase student satisfaction, and drive stronger retention.

It’s time to rethink postgraduate engagement—because every student, at every stage, deserves to feel part of a community.

Goin’ has already helped institutions around the world build thriving postgraduate communities—enhancing student experience, increasing retention, and reducing isolation.

💡 Want to analyze the current state of your student community and identify opportunities for improvement? Let’s chat! We’ll help you assess your engagement strategy and ensure your postgraduate students are fully supported from day one.