The results of the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS) have been released, revealing valuable feedback from third-year BA Journalism students at the University of Sheffield. In this year’s NSS, journalism at the University of Sheffield was ranked first in the Russell Group across several areas:
1st in the Russell Group for learning resources
94% of our students felt that IT services and resources had supported their learning. Staffed by our brilliant Creative Media team - Jesse, Muhebur and Nafiseh - our equipment store is stocked with the most up-to-date kit, as well as expert support and guidance on how to make the most of it. We’re also proud to provide students with round-the-clock access to our industry-standard TV and radio studios, located on the first floor of The Wave.
1st in the Russell Group for student voice
Through regular feedback panels, our students are given plenty of opportunities to have their say on things like course content, guest speakers, assessments and more. This isn’t just the case for Journalism: the University of Sheffield as a whole placed 3rd in the Russell Group for student voice.
1st in the Russell Group for assessment and feedback
We also scored well across the board for feedback and assessments. Thanks to continuous improvements on how we assess modules, 94% of our students felt positive their assessments allowed them to demonstrate what they had learned.
I’m absolutely delighted with these results.
We’ve seen improvements across the board from last year, and I’m particularly proud of our scores for student voice, assessments and feedback!”
Lisa Bradley, Director of Undergraduate Studies
1st in the Russell Group for learning opportunities
We take pride in striking the balance between cutting-edge research and vocational training - that's why we've topped the Russell Group for learning opportunities this year. Over 97% of our students felt positive that the course helped them to develop skills and knowledge they needed for the future.
2nd In the Russell Group for Academic support and skills for the future
Our teaching staff take great pride in offering consistent and friendly support. 94% of the surveyed students felt that it was easy to get in touch with staff when they needed to, as well as feeling positive that teaching staff had supported their learning.
These results are a real testament to the quality of the teachers, support staff and facilities we provide here in the department.
We've been training Journalists at Sheffield for almost 30 years now, and I am proud to say that throughout that time we've continued to uphold a standard for excellence that sets us apart from other Universities across the UK."
Professor Jackie Harrison, Head of Department
About the National Student Survey
Nearly half a million students across the UK are invited to take part in the National Student Survey (NSS) every year.
The NSS is an opportunity for students to provide honest feedback about what it has been like to study at their university or college. It is published every year and is a rich and influential source of information about higher education. The survey is a key component of the quality assurance and wider regulatory landscape in UK higher education.
The survey is completed by final-year students at:
- All publicly funded Higher Education universities and colleges in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland
- Further education colleges in England and Northern Ireland
- Further education institutions (FEIs) in Wales (with directly funded higher education students)
Headlines from across the University
The University of Sheffield was ranked as the #1 Russell Group University in the UK, leading 24 world class, research-intensive universities, based on aggregate responses from over 335,000 final year students.
In other individual categories, Sheffield has also been placed top for assessment and feedback and for Students’ Union in the Russell Group of universities.
