- The University of Sheffield leads the Russell Group in the National Student Survey
- Sheffield received the highest positive responses to the survey that asked students to feedback on their higher education experience
- Results show Sheffield is top across the Russell Group of universities for assessment and feedback and its Students’ Union, and in the top three for learning opportunities, student voice and mental health
The University of Sheffield has been placed top in the Russell Group, according to the latest National Student Survey published this week (10 August 2023).
The survey, in which more than 335,000 final year students from across the UK have fed back on their higher education experience, places Sheffield top of the UK’s 24 world class, research-intensive universities, based on aggregate responses.
Sheffield received the highest positive responses to 27 questions that asked students to rate their academic experience, mental wellbeing, resources and support.
In individual categories, Sheffield is placed top for assessment and feedback and for Students’ Union in the Russell Group of universities.
Sheffield is also in the top three across the Russell Group for learning opportunities, student voice and mental health, and top five for learning resources, academic support and organisation and management.
This year’s survey, which is led by the Office for Students (OfS), also added a new question to explore freedom of expression. Sheffield is the top five in the Russell Group for students feeling free to express their opinions and beliefs during their studies, according to the results.
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are really pleased that our students have rated us so highly in this year’s National Student Survey. This is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the positive work of Sheffield Students' Union.
“We really value feedback from our students as it provides important insights into how we can improve. We will use the survey responses to further develop the student experience we offer here at Sheffield.”
Lily Byrne, President of Sheffield Students’ Union, said: “This recognition goes to show the dedication of both staff and students, here in the Students’ Union and University. We aim to harbour an inclusive community which promotes freedom of expression, and it is encouraging to see this recognised through student feedback. We will continue to be a space shaped by student voice, to support the needs and wellbeing of all students here at the University of Sheffield."
The NSS also shows how positive students are about their individual course.
Results from this year’s survey reveal that some of Sheffield’s courses in architecture, East Asian studies, engineering, genetics, landscape design, microbiology, nursing, Spanish, Portuguese and zoology, have received some of the most positive student feedback in the whole of the UK.
Notes to editors
The University of Sheffield received the highest positive responses in the Russell Group in the question groupings for assessment and feedback and Students’ Union.
In the assessment and feedback grouping, students were asked the following:
- How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
- How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
- How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
- How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
- How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
In the Students’ Union grouping, students were asked the following:
- How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
In the learning opportunities grouping, students were asked the following:
- To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
- How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
- To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
- To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
- How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
In the academic support grouping, students were asked the following:
- How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
- How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
In the organisation and management grouping, students were asked the following:
- How well organised is your course?
- How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
In the learning resources grouping, students were asked the following:
- How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
- How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
- How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
In the student voice grouping, students were asked the following:
- To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
- To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
- How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
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