National Student Survey 2019 results
Wednesday, 03 July 2019
A higher proportion of final year students are satisfied with their overall experience at the University of Reading compared to the previous year, according to the 2019 National Student Survey (NSS) published on Wednesday.
84% of undergraduate final year students are satisfied with their overall experience at the University of Reading, according to the 2019 National Student Survey (NSS) published today. This represents an increase on last year’s result of 83%.
Our students reported improved satisfaction in a number of important areas, including ‘Learning Resources’ (from 67% to 75%), ‘Organisation & Management’ (from 72% to 76%) and ‘Academic Support’ (from 75% to 77%).
At discipline level, nine areas achieved an overall satisfaction score of 90% or above, including: Archaeology (97%), Education (96%), Classics (93%), Finance (92%), Pharmacy (92%), Law (91%), Meteorology (91%), Accounting (90%), and Biological Sciences (90%).
2,413 University of Reading undergraduate finalists completed the NSS this year, representing a pleasing 70% response rate – up significantly on 66% in 2018.
We are committed to working in partnership with our students to enable them to reach their full potential, personally and academically. That is why we take feedback from surveys such as the NSS so seriously, so we can listen to student views and understand what’s working well and where we need to improve, and take action accordingly.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort said:
“I would like to thank all of our students who participated in the National Student Survey and our other surveys this year. I am pleased to see an increase not just in overall satisfaction, but also in key areas such as ‘Learning Resources’, reflecting the investment in our Library building, with students this year benefitting from access to the refurbished ground and first floors.
Although overall satisfaction at Reading has remained steady in recent years, the Survey results have highlighted areas for improvement. At the start of the academic year, we developed an Action Plan to address common areas of concern after last year’s Survey. This year’s positive result reflects the hard work of colleagues across the Institution, working with students to offer the best possible experience, and I thank them for their commitment.
Despite making improvements, we cannot stand still. Our students rightly have high expectations and we will continue to listen and change to meet their needs. That is one of the reasons I am looking forward to launching our new strategy in the autumn, to clearly articulate what we stand for and our ambitions for the future, for the benefit of all our current and future students and colleagues.”
We would like to thank colleagues across the institution for their valuable support in promoting the NSS and other surveys to eligible students, resulting in our improved response rate this year.
The full results are publically available on the Office for Students website.
Next steps
Data from the NSS and other recently student surveys, including the UK Engagement Survey (UKES) and Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) will be analysed in detail and shared with Heads of School and Function. The results will be considered by the relevant University committees to identify common themes and areas for improvement. We will keep colleagues and students updated with progress and action taken.