National Student Survey 2016: Here are the UK’s top 10 institutions for ‘overall student satisfaction’

The majority of the UK’s university students are satisfied with their courses, but are feeling less so with the overall quality of their education, according to the latest data collected by the National Student Survey (NSS).

Despite the controversial increase in university tuition fees in 2012, the average overall student satisfaction rate remained the same compared to the past two years, at 86 percent.

The University of Buckingham and the University of Law share the top spot out of all participating institutions, emerging with 97 percent in overall student satisfaction scores.

Both institutions were rated highly for academic support, having academic staff who were enthusiastic in their teaching and good at explaining their subjects, as well as being well-organized.

Here are the UK’s top 10 institutions in overall satisfaction:

The annual survey, which involves undergraduate students, saw up to 72 percent of the current cohort take part, amounting to around 312,000 respondents – a slightly higher rate of participation than previous years. The respondents were from a mix of 155 higher education institutions, 190 further education colleges, and 13 alternative providers of higher education.

Of that number, approximately 7 percent of students said they were dissatisfied with their education, while another 7 percent said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

In response to the survey’s results, the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Professor Madeleine Atkins, told the Daily Express: “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. 

“The response rate is very encouraging and ensures that the student voice continues to inform enhancements in quality and in the information available to the next cohort of students.

“The increase in the number of alternative providers taking part in the survey on a voluntary basis for this year is a reflection of how important the survey is to the sector and highlights the increasing diversity of higher education in the UK.”

Deputy chief executive of Universities UK, Alistair Jarvis, told The Independent that the survey highlighted how the UK’s higher education sector has a “well-deserved” international reputation for high-quality teaching and learning, with universities seeking to “continually enhance” what they offer students.

“In recent years, universities have increased investment in teaching and learning and are continuing to respond to student feedback to further improve their higher education experience.

“With the government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for universities in England under development, these impressive results are a timely reminder that most students report strong satisfaction with the high quality teaching and learning experience that universities provide,” he said.

The survey’s results influence TEF ratings, which affect the amount of tuition fees each university is allowed to charge.

Earlier this year, the National Union of Students (NUS) encouraged students to either boycott the NSS or sabotage it by giving artificially maximum or minimum scores in order to “render the TEF unworkable and seriously disrupt the government’s higher education reforms as a whole”, which was sparked by news that tuition fees may see a further increment of up to £250 in 2017.

Conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of UK funding bodies, the survey provides useful information for prospective students and helps universities and colleges to further improve the education they provide.

Next year’s NSS will see the introduction of some changes. Professor Janet Beer, the chairman of the Higher Education Public Information Steering Group, said: “Following a thorough review of the NSS, we will re-launch the survey in 2017, revitalising the questionnaire by reflecting the student voice and engagement in their learning. 

“These changes will ensure the survey continues to command the confidence of students, of institutions and of the wider public into the next decade.”

Image via Unsplash 

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