Keele University has been rated second in the country for student satisfaction. The University, with an exceptionally high overall satisfaction score of 93%, exceeds the national satisfaction rate of 85% in the latest National Student Survey.
Keele’s overall satisfaction score is its highest ever and places the University among the country's top universities for student satisfaction, topping Oxford, Cambridge and the Open University, with only Bath, of the maninstream universities, ahead by one percentage point.
Keele students found their courses were intellectually stimulating with the staff good at explaining things and enthusiastic about what they are teaching. Furthermore, the University has improved its performance on all areas surveyed, except for Teaching, which was unchanged. There were particularly significant rises in the performance of Learning Resources and the Students' Union over the last 12 months.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, said: "These are very impressive results! I am delighted that Keele has been so highly rated by our students in the National Student Survey. This year’s exceptional results underline our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and improving the all-round student experience.
"Students look for a more holistic experience combining quality research/teaching with a community environment and strong employability record. They are also looking for better value from their university and Keele is adapting its offering to suit these demands. This is why Keele has launched the Distinctive Keele Curriculum, which is designed to better prepare students for life after university."
In each of the eight categories covered by the survey this year, satisfaction has either improved or stayed the same as in 2012. In particular, students’ satisfaction has increased in the areas of Assessment and feedback and Learning resources, with an improvement of 2 per cent in both categories.
Around 304,000 final-year students responded to the survey this year, from 154 HEIs and FECs from across the UK. This represents a response rate of 68.6 per cent, the highest rate in the nine years that the NSS has been running.
Questions in the survey included the teaching on courses, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management and personal development.
The results of the survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI, provide valuable information for prospective students, and help universities and colleges to further improve the education they provide.
Universities Minister, David Willetts said:
‘It is very encouraging to see student satisfaction is continuing to rise. University is a hugely enjoyable and life-enhancing experience for most students, as this survey shows.
‘The National Student Survey plays an important role in providing students with information to help them make choices about higher education. It can also help universities to understand how they can offer students the best experience.’