Durham University students among most satisfied in UK

Durham University students are among the most satisfied in the UK, according to this year’s National Student Survey (NSS). Overall, 90 per cent of students said they were satisfied with the quality of their course compared to the national average of 86 per cent. Durham remains one of the highest ranked UK universities for student satisfaction. The NSS is an independent annual survey that evaluates how satisfied students are with the overall quality of their higher education experience. Students rated their satisfaction in eight areas of academic life: teaching; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; personal development, Students’ Union and overall satisfaction. Durham students were particularly satisfied with the teaching they received, with 92 per cent describing their course as intellectually stimulating. The enthusiasm of teaching staff and the way they explained their subjects also scored highly at 91 per cent. Educational Studies achieved a satisfaction rating of 100 per cent. Other subjects, including History, Classics and Ancient History and Biomedical Sciences (98 per cent), Accounting (97 per cent), Philosophy and Finance (95 per cent) and Law (94 per cent) registered particularly high satisfaction ratings. In addition, there was a five per cent increase in satisfaction with the Library to 89%, which is above the national average of 86%. Dr Michael Gilmore, Academic Registrar at Durham University, said: “Durham gives students the opportunity to combine research-led teaching and learning with a college system that allows them to develop their personal skills through activities such as sport, the arts and volunteering. “The experience we offer helps students to develop key skills for life that make our graduates among the most sought after in the world by leading employers. “We are delighted that our students have such overall satisfaction with the experience they enjoy at Durham. “To enhance this experience further we have invested £100m in new facilities across the University, including £48m in the new Bill Bryson Library extension, Durham Law School and Palatine Centre, which brings student support services, including Student finance, Careers, Disability support, Student counselling, International student matters and IT support together on one site for the benefit of students.” As part of its overall investment, the University has also spent £5m to £6m each year since 2003 in refurbishing College accommodation and £12m in new sports facilities at Queen’s Campus, in Stockton, and at Maiden Castle, in Durham, which is home to one of only three indoor powered rowing tanks in the UK. Work is also currently underway on a major redevelopment of Durham University Business School. The NSS results follow continued excellent performance by Durham University across the league tables. Durham is ranked as a World Top-100 University by both the QS World University Rankings 2012-2013 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-2013. The QS guide also placed Durham in the top 20 globally for the reputation of its graduates among leading employers. The University is also ranked fourth in the prestigious Sunday Times University Guide 2013 and fifth in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and The Complete University Guide 2014. Source: Durham University