The National Student Survey, which is carried out by the Office for Students (OfS) on behalf of the UK funding bodies, questions final-year undergraduates at all publicly-funded universities and colleges about their experience of studying. 

This year’s rankings show improvements in a number of areas of the student experience at the University of Glasgow.

Our overall satisfaction rating has gone up to 87.1% - up 1% point from last year.

Assessment and Feedback (overall) has also risen - to 67.5% - up 0.74% points from last year.

In terms of ranking, the University of Glasgow is now second for overall satisfaction among Russell Group universities (up three from last year). Our position among other Scottish universities has also risen – up two to fifth.

For Assessment and Feedback overall, the University of Glasgow’s ranking among other Russell Group universities has risen to 10th – up seven from its position last year; among other Scottish universities we are also 10th, a rise of three from last year.

The Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, said: “The National Student Survey provides vital annual feedback for higher education on learning and teaching, and each year we take seriously what it has to tell us about the student experience at the University. This year, students - and staff - have had to face huge changes to the way that teaching is delivered while assessment and examinations have had to move online. 

“I can only commend our student body for their resilience and patience in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. As a University, we have shown ourselves to be adaptable and creative in transforming our delivery of services. We know that the student experience next year will be different, but the lessons of the last few months tell us we can achieve amazing things when we come together as a learning community.”

A more detailed breakdown of the results is available from Heads of School, but among the highlights are:

Three subject areas achieved 100% satisfaction this year: 

  • Earth Sciences
  • Animal Science
  • Ecology and Environmental Biology

Overall satisfaction KPI:

Only one College has achieved the 91% KPI target for Overall Satisfaction – MVLS, which increased 3.3% points year on year to reach 92.9%.

Assessment and Feedback KPI:

No colleges have achieved the 75% KPI target.

Other themes:

At a university level, all themes improved year on year, with the exception of Learning Community. The most significant improvement was for Organisation & Management with a 2.74% point climb to 75.2%. This was specifically driven by the question ‘Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively’, which climbed 4.47% year on year to 75.1%.

 

 

 

 


First published: 16 July 2020