Reading students have their say in the National Student Survey
09 August 2017
84% of final year students are satisfied with the University of Reading, according to the 2017 National Student Survey (NSS) published today (Wednesday 9th August).
The 2017 NSS was completed by more than 1,600 final year students.
Overall satisfaction across the University remains strong, with our 2017 score matching the sector average at 84%.
Satisfaction also continues to perform well at discipline level, with eight areas achieving a satisfaction score of 90% or above. Meteorology achieved 100%, and other high performing departments included: Agriculture (91%), Archaeology (94%), Education (90%), Food & Nutritional Sciences (93%), Mathematics & Statistics (94%), Pharmacy (91%), and Philosophy (94%).
Finalists also commended teaching staff for being good at explaining things (87%), they have had opportunities to work with other students as part of their course and they have been able to contact staff when they needed to.
Professor Gavin Brooks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching & Learning at the University of Reading, said:
“Students are right to have high expectations of their university. Of the 1,600 students that completed the Survey, 84% said they were satisfied with Reading – this is a solid result, and in line with the sector average in what has been an atypical year for Higher Education.
“It is pleasing to see that a number of our disciplines have achieved a satisfaction rating of over 90% - of course we want to raise satisfaction across the board and will be reviewing the latest survey results in more detail.
“Several of the themes raised in feedback this year align with areas we are already working to improve – the Electronic Management of Assessment Programme, for instance, will improve the delivery of feedback on assessed work to students and we will be piloting new procedures in two Schools in the autumn term. Another example is our ambitious capital investment programme 2026: TRANSFORM, which will improve the provision of key facilities such as study space and teaching and learning resources.
“We are extremely grateful to all final year students who took the time to complete the NSS, and we look forward to using their feedback to help make Reading even better.”
Key findings:
- Eight disciplines achieved a satisfaction score of 90% or above, with Meteorology achieving 100%. Other departments included: Agriculture (91%), Archaeology (94%), Education (90%), Food & Nutritional Sciences (93%), Mathematics & Statistics (94%), Pharmacy (91%), and Philosophy (94%).
- 78% students feel part of a Learning Community at Reading – above the sector average of 77%.
- Reading scored 75% for Organisation & Management – in line with the sector average.
Several changes were made to the wording and structure of the Survey this year and, as a result, The UK Student Information Advisory Group and funding bodies have agreed that the 2017 data is not comparable to results from previous surveys and have advised that such comparisons should not be undertaken.
The NSS is an important measure of student satisfaction. It is carried out annually by Ipsos MORI; it contributes to other independent league tables; and it has built a broader picture of the quality of higher education since it started in 2005.
The statistics are publically available at HEFCE.