National Student Survey 2023 reveals the strengths of music at York

1st in the Russell Group for several areas in National Student Survey

We placed 1st for many areas among the Russell Group universities included for music in the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS). 

We ranked highly within the Russell Group in the following areas:

1st for ‘academic support’ in music

• 97 per cent for Q16 “How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”
• 92 per cent for Q15 “How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?”

1st for ‘Learning opportunities’ in music

Including:

• 97 per cent for Q05 “To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?”
• 95 per cent for Q06 “How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?”
• 95 per cent for Q07 “To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?”
• 95 per cent for Q08 “To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?”
• 89 per cent for Q09 “How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?”

1st for ‘Teaching on my course’ in music

Including:

• 97 per cent for Q01 “How good are teaching staff at explaining things?”
• 97 per cent for Q02 “How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?”
• 95 per cent for Q03 “How often is the course intellectually stimulating?”
• 97 per cent for Q04 “How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”

Dr Áine Sheil, the Head of the School of Arts and Creative Technologies, said “These outstanding NSS results show just how committed our staff are to delivering the best possible teaching to our students. I am delighted that our students recognise the excellence of our teaching, support and facilities”.

What is the National Student Survey

The NSS is a nationwide survey of final-year students in higher and further education. They answer questions on a variety of aspects of their university experience, including their department and course. 

Over 339,000 took part in the 2023 survey, helping prospective students to compare courses and make informed decisions about where to study. The survey empowers those taking part to shape the future of their course, giving universities honest feedback on what they are doing well and where they can improve. 

York's overall position

York performed strongly in this year’s National Student Survey, featuring in the top 10 for multiple categories among Russell Group universities.

The University as a whole placed 4th in the Russell Group for Learning Resources, 5th for Academic Support and 6th for Organisation and Management. 

Thirteen subjects featured in the top three in the Russell Group for Academic Support, while a further 12 were placed in the top three for Teaching On My Course.

Read more about York’s excellent NSS results.