Most university students happy with courses

The National Student Survey shows that 90 per cent of students at the university were happy with their course.

This was the highest of any university in Yorkshire and also higher than most other similar institutions according to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Sheffield and York University also had high satisfaction rates of 89 per cent in the new NSS.

And Sheffield’s Student Union has been named as the best in the UK for the fifth year running.

The union achieved an outstanding 96 per cent overall satisfaction rate in the annual survey – an increase from last year’s figure of 95 per cent and three per cent above its nearest rival, St Mary’s University College in Belfast.

Students’ Union president Dominic Trendall said: “We are extremely proud that our Students’ Union has once again been voted the best in the UK.

“This wonderful achievement is a testament to all of the dedicated staff, students and volunteers who work incredibly hard to create a truly inclusive community that Sheffield students love to be a part of. Our Students’ Union is a place where talented students from across the globe can come together to try new activities, exceed their expectations and make new friends. We are continually striving to nurture and innovate our students to encourage them to make an impact and a difference to people’s lives.”

Commenting on Leeds’ satisfaction score Prof Tom Ward, the university’s deputy vice chancellor for student education, said: “The 90 per cent score for satisfaction is a considerable achievement in an increasingly competitive environment. Quite rightly, our students demand excellence in all areas of their studies, and I’m delighted so many of them chose to respond to the NSS and give their views. Our next job is to analyse the results in more detail and discuss them with individual schools and our student body, to see how and where we need to focus our efforts in the future. I know colleagues will continue to seek ways in which we can further improve the student experience, and thank them for their ongoing hard work and commitment.”

Nationally 86 per cent of university students were satisfied with their course.

A further seven per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their higher education experience; and the remaining seven per cent were dissatisfied.

Huddersfield was the only other university in the region with a score higher than the national average - at 87 per cent.

Hull’s score was 86 per cent. Elsewhere Leeds Beckett University saw its score improve from 82 per cent to 84 per cent.

Sheffield Hallam University’s satisfaction score was also 84 per cent.

York St John and Leeds Trinity University both saw satisfaction levels fall compared with 2015.

At York St John 83 per cent were said to be satisfied compared with 88 per cent previously. Leeds Trinity’s score was down from 85 per cent to 81 per cent.

HEFCE chief executive, Prof Madeleine Atkins, said: “I’m pleased to see that the results of this year’s survey remain very positive, demonstrating the commitment of all higher education providers to deliver high quality teaching and learning for their students.”