News

Durham students remain amongst the most satisfied in UK

(10 August 2009)

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

Durham retains its position at eleventh in full subject universities in the 2009 NSS. The independent annual survey evaluates how satisfied students are with the overall quality of their higher education experience, gaining student opinions this year from across 155 universities. Students rated their satisfaction in seven areas: teaching; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; personal development and overall satisfaction. Durham has seen rises in Assessment and Feedback, Academic Support and Personal Development and 88 per cent of respondents agreed that overall they were satisfied with the quality of their course compared to a national average of 81 per cent. The University has recently been ranked fifth in the 2010 Complete University Guide and eighth in the 2010 Times Good University Guide. Professor Anthony Forster, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Learning and Teaching, said: “Durham has a reputation for offering an excellent academic experience and through our 16 residential colleges provides unparalleled opportunities for personal development. We are delighted with the results and over the next 5 years we will be investing £48m in extending our library and providing a new centre for student services that will house admissions, counselling, welfare support and careers advice. There’s no doubt this will further enhance the experience of the University’s students.” Durham Students’ Union Education and Welfare Officer, Nicky Godfrey said: “The NSS results this year are very positive and show Durham’s success in providing an excellent academic environment and opportunities for personal development, both within colleges and in the wider university community. “Students benefit from strong academic success, pastoral support, personal development and a good social life. The high number of students reporting overall satisfaction with their course shows that Durham remains one of the very best places to study.”