Warwick has student satisfaction rate of 85%

The National Student Survey (NSS), which recording the views of 340,000 people studying at 400 universities and colleges across the UK, found 83% were satisfied with their course, below the 84% recorded in 2017 and 86 % in 2016.

The University of Warwick found itself in joint fifty-first position, according to Times Higher Education, with a student satisfaction rate of 85%, alongside Durham University, the University of Liverpool and the University of York, among others.

Last year, Warwick had a student satisfaction rate of 86%.

Commenting on this result, a second-year English Literature and Creative Writing student said: “Warwick provides sufficient course material for students like myself to have a good experience in learning. The atmosphere can be very welcoming and students in other years offer massive assistance.

“The only downside is that certain tutors can be very lacking when I ask for help. I don’t know if it is just me, but in some seminars, I am put off asking questions, partly because of the competitive nature of students, and at other times because my tutor didn’t seem like he wanted to help at all.

“Otherwise, I’m very satisfied with my learning experience.”

Conclusions from the data were drawn from 27 questions, covering factors including: learning opportunities, teaching on the course, academic support, assessment and feedback, organisation and management, learning resources, learning community, student voice and student union.

The 2018 survey found the University of St Andrews with the highest student satisfaction rate at 94%, jumping two places from the previous year, followed by the University of Buckingham, Conservatoire of Dance and Drama, and The London Institute of Banking and Finance taking joint second at 9%.

The NSS results demonstrate that we must continue in our efforts at both institutional and departmental level to improve the educational experience at Warwick

– University of Warwick statement

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was the lowest scoring Russell Group university dropping from 74% satisfaction in 2017 to 71% this year.

LSE’s director, Minouche Shafik, commented: ‘“We have introduced significant reforms across campus, but we know it will take time before these changes are reflected.”

“Improving student satisfaction is our top priority. We are changing our assessment process, improving academic support and feedback, and developing student services on campus. We will keep listening and keep acting.”

Other Russell Group universities in the bottom half include Imperial College London, the University of Bristol, and the University of Manchester.

In spite of this, a spokesperson for Russel Group said: “Overall student satisfaction levels at Russell Group universities remain high. This shows our universities are delivering for students, with excellent learning resources and intellectually stimulating courses.”

The University of Warwick commented on the results: “We are pleased to see the satisfaction our students show with their education at Warwick, whilst aiming to do better each year. We greatly value their feedback and respect their judgement.

“Staff and students are working very closely on developing new ways to extend and enhance their learning through internationalisation, interdisciplinary study and student research, and the NSS is a key element of our collaborative approach to overall enhancement at Warwick.

“The NSS results demonstrate that we must continue in our efforts at both institutional and departmental level to improve the educational experience at Warwick. We will work over the coming weeks, together with the Students’ Union, to analyse this feedback and undertake further action planning for improvement.”