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University of York performs well in National Student Survey

Posted on 11 August 2023

The University of York has performed strongly in this year’s National Student Survey - featuring in the top 10 across multiple categories among Russell Group universities.

York came 2nd in the Russell Group of research-intensive universities when students were asked how free did they feel to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

The University was placed 5th in the Russell Group for Learning Resources, 6th for Academic Support and 6th for Organisation & Management. 

Opinions

Ten subjects featured in the top three in the Russell Group for Academic Support, while a further 11 were placed in the top three for Teaching On My Course.

York also came 2nd in the Russell Group of research-intensive universities when students were asked how free did they feel to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

Feedback

The survey asked students questions about a range of factors related to their academic experience, including the teaching on their course, assessment and feedback, and how well courses are organised.

The survey – one of the largest of its kind in the world, with over 339,000 responses across the UK this year – asked students about mental wellbeing services and, in England, freedom of expression for the first time as part of a wider review.

Wellbeing

Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “These results highlight the collective efforts of all our staff in responding to the teaching, learning and wellbeing needs of our students, helping to deliver the very best academic experience possible. 

“They also reflect the work of all of our professional services colleagues who support the education and welfare of our students in so many ways - from technicians and student support staff in academic departments, to our security staff and cleaners who perform valuable roles in ensuring student welfare.”

“All of this positions York as a university that rightly deserves its reputation for an excellent student experience.”

Further information:

The following questions were asked:

  • Learning Resources - How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning? How well have the library resources supported your learning? How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
  • Academic Support - How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to? How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
  • Organisation & Management - How well organised is your course? How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
  • Teaching On My Course - How good are teaching staff at explaining things? How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging? How often is the course intellectually stimulating? How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

Further info: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-information-and-data/national-student-survey-nss/

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