York tops Russell Group for academic support for students

Posted on Wednesday 15 July 2020

As well as being top for academic support, the results of the student satisfaction survey also positions York as first for learning opportunities and second for teaching out of the Russell Group universities included in the survey. 

With more than 300,000 final-year students taking part in the UK this year, the independent survey is an important indicator of how students rate their time at university.

It asks final-year students about factors that are most important to them, including teaching, assessment and feedback, and their community. The results are used by the University and Students’ Union to support further improvements in teaching and learning.

Excellent teaching

Professor John Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “This year’s results show that we continue to offer excellent teaching, learning and student support here at York. Our student experience is at the heart of everything that we do and it’s important to us that we listen to the feedback from our students to keep improving. 

“Being top of the Russell Group for academic support and learning opportunities means students feel inspired to explore their own ideas, supported by experts who share their curiosity and passion. We do all that we can to encourage this kind of creative, independent thinking, which helps equip our graduates for successful careers all over the world.”

Matt Johnstone, Academic Officer at the University's student union (YUSU), added: "This year's NSS results have shown once again that York truly values the student experience. It's gratifying to see impressive results around student voice and academic community, something very close to my own heart.

"I am excited to work with elected students across the courses, departments and faculties to continue to improve these results even further through my time as Academic Officer at YUSU." 

Above national average

Overall, a score of 85.39% for overall satisfaction sets York above the national average of 82.65% in UK universities.

The survey results also reflected an increase across 16 subject areas, with 10 subjects achieving more than 90% student satisfaction: Archaeology; Astronomy; Biology; Chemistry; Cinematics and photography; English; French studies; Mental Health Nursing; Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry, and Psychology.

“We are in the top quarter of the Russell Group for student satisfaction in the majority of our subjects,” continued Professor Robinson, “and these high standards across the board are also reflected by our Gold standard in the Teaching Excellence Framework, the highest possible rating an institution can achieve. I’d like to thank our students, staff and alumni of the University, all part of a strong community who work together to help students make the most of their time at York.”

Detailed results of the survey results can be found on the Office for Students website.