Sheffield in top 10 for student satisfaction
The University of Sheffield is in the top 10 of UK universities for student satisfaction, according to the latest National Student Survey (NSS).
When compared to the Russell Group, the association of leading UK research-intensive universities, the University of Sheffield ranked joint third (with Glasgow University) for overall student satisfaction, just behind Cambridge and Oxford.
Overall, 90% of the University's students surveyed were satisfied with their course, compared to a sector average of 83%.
Satisfaction at Sheffield has improved since 2010 in six of the seven categories covered by the survey and stayed the same in one. 90% of its students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their courses, 88% with the learning resources available to them and 83% with the personal development they received.
30 out of the University's 55 subjects received an overall satisfaction score of 90% or above, with a further 19 subjects gaining an 80% or above score. Business Studies, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry all received top overall satisfaction scores of 100%.
Students at the University of Sheffield were also among the happiest in Yorkshire, with the University coming out top in the region.
The news follows the University's success in the recent Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey where it ranked second overall in the country. It was also named top for its Students' Union, joint first for its social life, library facilities and accommodation and the 'University most people would recommend to a friend.'
Paul White, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University, said: "It is excellent news that our students continue to be amongst the most satisfied in the country. The University of Sheffield is one of the largest universities in the UK to have scored so highly for student satisfaction, proving that a large and diverse university can deliver an outstanding student learning experience. These results are testament to the fantastic learning community we have built here in Sheffield, the high calibre of our teaching and the excellent support our students receive."
Notes for Editors: The NSS covers nearly all final-year undergraduates studying for higher education qualifications at HEIs (including the independent University of Buckingham) and FECs in England and Wales, HEIs in Northern Ireland and 14 institutions in Scotland (listed below). Students on initial teacher training courses funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools, and students studying NHS-funded subjects are also included. The threshold for publication is that at least 23 students from each course must have responded at each institution, and that these represent at least half the students eligible to participate.
Around 265,000 final-year students responded to the survey this year, from 154 HEIs and 99 FECs from across the UK. This represents a response rate of 65 per cent, the highest rate in the seven years that the NSS has been running.
The results of the survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI, provide valuable information for prospective students, and help universities and colleges to further improve the education they provide.
For further information please contact: Lindsey Wilson, Media Relations Manager, on 0114 2225338 or email l.bird@sheffield.ac.uk