University of York wins teaching plaudits from students
Posted on 22 August 2006
The National Student Survey also revealed that the overwhelming majority of students at York were happy both with the learning resources available and the organisation of their courses.
It is the third time this year that the quality of teaching at York has received national recognition.
In May, Dr Andrew Parsons was given the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Higher Education Teaching Award, becoming the third member of the University’s Department of Chemistry to receive the award in the last six years.
In June, two of the University’s most inspirational teachers, Dr Mary Luckhurst, of the Department of English and Related Literature, and Dr Peter Thompson, of the Department of Psychology, received National Teaching Fellowships from the Higher Education Academy.
Independent scrutiny such as this is of enormous benefit both in helping to tell us both where we are doing well and highlighting areas where we need to improve
Professor Trevor Sheldon
A total of 71 per cent of 2,000 final year students at York responded to the survey undertaken between February and April 2006, well above the national response rate of 56 per cent. The survey was undertaken and the results analysed by independent market research agency Ipsos MORI.
Launched in 2005, the NSS is a national initiative across all higher education institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as a number in Scotland, and gives final year students the opportunity to comment on their courses.
The seven areas on which students were questioned were:
- teaching
- assessment and feedback
- academic support
- organisation and management
- learning resources
- personal development
- overall satisfaction with the quality of the course
In terms of overall average scores, York came in the top ten of universities for Psychology (4th), Music (5th), Physics and Chemistry (6th), Computer Science (7th) and Management (10th).
Professor Trevor Sheldon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at York, said: "Independent scrutiny such as this is of enormous benefit both in helping to tell us both where we are doing well and highlighting areas where we need to improve.
"As in the sector as a whole, there was student concern about assessment and feedback and we are putting measures in place to improve those areas. The survey provides us with important information on the student experience on degree courses. But it excludes some of the important opportunities we provide for students to develop skills which help them to perform better in their studies and prepare for life and work after university."
Rich Croker, President of the University of York Students' Union (YUSU), added: "We are happy to note the high proportion of students who have completed the NSS as it helps to produce an in-depth course-related perspective of student views. Overall satisfaction appears to be high, and some of the responses to last year's survey are showing positive effects already.
"YUSU will be working with the University next year to strengthen the areas where we weren't so strong, especially on assessment and feedback which was highlighted as a weakness both at York and nationwide."