1 What Students Need to Know from The National Student Survey 17 June 2010 Sami Benyahia, Director

2 What I am going to talk about  The National Student Survey  What students need to know  How they can use the NSS to help inform their choice

3 We all have different expectations

4 Managing expectations

5 What is the National Student Survey is and its purpose  A national survey of UK final year undergraduate students  Data publically available  For prospective students to choose where/what to study  A rich source of information for institutions

6 The scope of the NSS  150 HEIs and 120 FE Colleges (HE in FE)  400,000 students annually  More than 6 in 10 students took part Base: NSS 2009

7 The NSS is about the Student learning experience  Teaching on my course  Assessment and feedback  Academic support  Organisation and management  Learning resources  Personal development  Overall satisfaction

8 Where are the results: Unistats

9 Universities’ websites

10 League tables

11 What the NSS reveals  High levels of overall satisfaction  Some improvements over the years

12 Teaching on my Course Assessment & Feedback Organisation & Management Academic Support Personal Development Learning Resources Overall Satisfaction Overall NSS results % Agree 60% 70% 80% Overall satisfaction Learning resources Assessment and feedback Organisation and management Academic support Personal development Teaching on my course

13 Students view HE courses very positively  Students are generally satisfied with their courses  Over 80% students say ‘Overall, I am satisfied with my course’  Students positively evaluate all aspects of teaching and learning  No element of teaching quality is evaluated negatively Source: The National Student Survey Findings, Paula Surridge, Department of Sociology, University of Bristol

14 A diverse HE sector  Students on sandwich courses more satisfied with the quality of their courses than full-time students  Large variations according to subject of study  But no clear divide between Science and Arts & Humanities

15 Less enthusiasm about Assessment/Feedback  Assessment and Feedback is least positively evaluated  Older students more positive about Assessment and Feedback

16 Age matters  Older students more positive about Teaching and Learning

17 Disability  Students with dyslexia less satisfied with their courses

18 Ethnicity  Students from Asian ethnic backgrounds less positive about their courses than white students  Students from black ethnic backgrounds more positive about Assessment and Feedback and Organisation and Management

19 Size matters  Students in small institutions more positive about Teaching and Learning  …more positive about Academic Support  …more positive Personal Development.  …more satisfied with the overall teaching quality

20 Regional divide  Students in the London area less satisfied

21 Teaching on my course (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 Staff are good at explaining things Source: Ipsos MORI Staff have made the subject interesting Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching The course is intellectually stimulating

22 Assessment and feedback (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 The criteria used in marking have been clear in advance Source: Ipsos MORI Assessment arrangements and marking have been fair Feedback on my work has been prompt I have received detailed comments on my work Feedback on my work has helped me clarify things I did not understand

23 Academic support (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies Source: Ipsos MORI I have been able to contact staff when I needed to Good advice was available when I needed to make study choices

24 Organisation and management (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 The timetable works efficiently as far as my activities are concerned Source: Ipsos MORI Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively The course is well organised and is running smoothly

25 Learning resources (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 The library resources and services are good enough for my needs Source: Ipsos MORI I have been able to access general IT resources when I needed to I have been able to access specialised equipment, facilities or room when I needed to

26 Personal development (% agree) Base: c.223,000 NSS respondents, fieldwork January – April 2009 The course has helped me present myself with confidence Source: Ipsos MORI My communication skills have improved As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems

27 More information and data available     

28 Thank you For further information contact © 2010 Ipsos MORI – all rights reserved