News

National statistics confirm student success rates at Durham

(20 July 2006)

Durham University’s record as a premier learning environment where the overall student experience breeds success in completing degrees, is underlined today in the latest national figures on higher education.

The annual “Performance Indicators” - a statistical snap-shot of the position throughout UK universities two years ago – come from the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA). The figures relate to courses in Durham City and at the University’s Queen’s Campus, Stockton and reflect the situation in 2004-05. They show that Durham was broadly in step with overall trends, and even improved on its steady record for exceeding its HESA benchmarks for completion rates – especially among mature students and those from Low Participation Neighbourhoods (LPNs) - areas with little or no tradition of going to university. The overall rate is 97% (2 points better than the benchmark), and for mature students 88% (1 point better) and LPN students 97% (3 points better). Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, said: “There is great competition to get into Durham, but we can truly say of our students: ‘They’ve started, so they finish.’ It is a tribute to the staff and other students who make the living and learning environment among our colleges and departments so supportive.” All students in Durham and Stockton belong to one of the University’s 16 colleges, where most students live during their first and final years. In the National Student Survey (NSS) last year Durham University received the highest total average score out of the five institutions in the North East and the highest or joint highest score in six out of the seven categories. Overall Durham came joint tenth out of 131 institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of overall satisfaction and came joint fifth in the same category out of the institutions that offer a similar range of course provision.