News

Durham students amongst the most satisfied in UK

(18 August 2010)

Students with Professor Anthony Forster

Students at Durham University are among the most satisfied in the UK, according to this year's National Student Survey (NSS).

The independent annual survey evaluates how satisfied students are with the overall quality of their higher education experience.

Students rated their satisfaction in seven areas of academic life: teaching; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; personal development and overall satisfaction.

 Durham has seen rises in student satisfaction in: Assessment and Feedback, Academic Support and Personal Development, and in Learning Resources which includes questions related to the quality and accessibility of Information Technology, library, room and laboratory resources.

 87 per cent of respondents agreed that overall they were satisfied with the quality of their course compared to a national average of 82per cent. Durham University departments such as English and History registered particularly high satisfaction ratings of 97 per cent and 98 per cent respectively.

 The ratings follow excellent league table results for Durham University. The Complete University Guide (CUG) 2010-2011 ranked Durham as the fourth best institution in the country - up from fifth last year - placing it firmly alongside other leading research-led institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London.

 Durham also moved up two places to sixth at the top echelons of The Times Good University Guide (GUG) 2011.

 In both guides Durham scored high marks in student satisfaction and for the average amount it spends per student on facilities for education, social and leisure purposes such as its colleges and sport facilities.

 Professor Anthony Forster, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), Durham University, said: "Durham offers an excellent academic experience to students and through our 16 residential colleges provides unparalleled opportunities for study and personal development.

 "Significant investment in new resources, such as lecture theatres and laboratories, has added to the world-class research facilities here at Durham and students clearly value being taught by leading experts in their field.

 "Over the next 5 years we will be investing more than £60m in extending our library, building a new Law School, and providing a new centre for student services that will house admissions, counselling, welfare support and careers advice.

 "These changes will further enhance the student experience at Durham University supported by the unique social and pastoral experience offered by our colleges."

 Durham Students' Union Education and Welfare Officer, Jake Wanstall said:

 "Durham is a great place to study because you get to engage with some of the best academics in the world, yet are encouraged to recognise that your time here is about so much more than that.

 "Durham students are satisfied because they are connected. The fantastic college system helps to ensure they are connected to each other, their Students' Union and to the whole university structure. This is, afterall, the university where Bill Bryson finds time to litter-pick with his students."