Northumbria ahead of the sector for student satisfaction in latest National Student Survey

Northumbria University continues to outperform the sector for student satisfaction, according to the results of the 2017 National Student Survey.

The National Student Survey (NSS) asks final year students at all UK universities to rate their experiences of studying at their chosen university. They are questioned on the quality of their course, the facilities they use and how they have been supported in their personal development, with their answers used to help prospective students to make informed choices on the best place to study.

The University scored 85% overall satisfaction, above the sector average of 84%. In specific areas Northumbria performed above the sector for the application of information learnt, opportunities to work with other students and being provided with prompt assessment feedback. The University’s IT and library resources are also rated ahead of the sector average.

This score has led to a rise of nine places from 60th to 51st in overall student satisfaction.

A number of Northumbria’s subjects were highly rated for overall student satisfaction, including Human and Social Geography, which scored 100%. Physical Geography and Environmental Science scored 96% satisfaction, and Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology scored 95% satisfaction. Accounting, Psychology, and subjects allied to Medicine all scored 94% satisfaction.

Other subjects that scored 90% satisfaction or above include Architecture, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, History, Information Services, Journalism and Sociology.

In June, the University’s teaching excellence was acknowledged with a Silver Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which recognised the delivery of high-quality teaching, learning and results for its students, and consistently exceeds rigorous national quality requirements for UK Higher Education.

Over the last year, the University has embarked on a £52m investment in the student experience, including a new state-of-the art Computer and Information Sciences Building, Architecture Building as well a new centralised student service facility, Student Central.

Professor Peter Francis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University, said: “The results of the National Student Survey 2017 shows that the strong emphasis placed by the University on education and learning continues to benefit our students, something the Silver Award in the Teaching Excellent Framework recognised.”

“Northumbria is now in the top 50 institutions in the UK for Good Honours, outperforming the sector for the first time in 2015/16 and has also risen 30 places in the HESA Employment measure to now rank top in the North East.”

“We have outstanding students, and it is only right that we continue to invest in making their experience at Northumbria one of the best in the country.”

Northumbria University recently achieved its highest ever position in the 2018 Guardian University League Table, 48th, a rise of 20 places in the last two years alone. Ranking 7th nationally on the ‘value added’ measure. The University is also in the top 50 in the UK for research power and had the fourth largest increase in quality research funding (REF 2014) and is ranked as the top university in the UK for graduate start-up businesses based on turnover.