National Student Survey 2016 results announced

Posted on 10 August 2016

The University of York has seen an increase across 13 subject areas in the National Student Survey (NSS), whilst overall satisfaction has gone up from 88 per cent to 89 per cent.

The NSS, commissioned by HEFCE, is designed to gather information from undergraduates on a range of aspects related to their experience at university. The results are used by the University and Students Union to support further improvements in teaching and learning.

Nationally, overall satisfaction at UK universities remained static at 86 per cent.

York recorded improvements in two of the survey categories - Assessment and Feedback, up five per cent to 75 per cent, and Organisation and Management, up three per cent to 87 per cent.

Bolster learning

Professor John Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “This year we have performed well across all areas of the NSS. Where we were already strong, we have maintained good results and where we needed to improve, we have shown we can.

“We will continue to bolster our learning resources in the new academic year with the Spring Lane Teaching building, offering excellent learning and teaching facilities for a range of disciplines."

Four subject areas at York received 95 per cent or above for overall satisfaction: Archaeology, Chemistry, Linguistics and Psychology.

Ranked first

Disciplines that have seen improvement in overall satisfaction since 2015 are Archaeology; Drama; French Studies; History; Law; Linguistics; Management Studies; Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry; Music; Philosophy; Physical Geography and Environmental Science; Psychology; Social Work.

Within the Russell Group, York is ranked first for Assessment and Feedback and Organisation and Management and remains in the top three for Teaching on my Course and Academic Support. It is positioned in 7th place in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction, up from 11th place in 2015.

Further information:

Each dimension of the NSS combines results from 3-5 survey questions. There are six dimensions: Teaching on my Course, Assessment and Feedback, Academic Support, Organisation and Management, Learning Resources and Personal Development. An Overall Satisfaction score is a stand-alone question, alongside the six category areas.