National student survey

Tuesday 22 August 2006

The University of St Andrews has the most satisfied students in Scotland – according to the results of a new survey published today.

Scotland’s oldest university has come top in Scotland and third in the UK in the National Student Survey.

According to the NSS results, the Open University had the highest satisfaction rate, with 95%.

It was followed by Buckingham (94%) and St Andrews (92%). Some 157,000 final-year students across the UK took part in the survey.

Scottish higher education did best, with 85% of students surveyed north of the border happy with their course.

The result for Wales and Northern Ireland was 83%, while for England it was 80%.

The National Student Survey – being carried out this year for only the second time – was completed by 56% of final-year students in the UK, on both full- time and part-time courses. It is the first year that Scottish universities have taken part in the NSS.

University of St Andrews Principal and Vice Chancellor Dr Brian Lang welcomed the findings.

“This is the first year that Scottish higher education has been examined by the national survey and although only a small number of Scottish universities took part, I believe the results reflect well on the sector as a whole.

“Student satisfaction is a critical indicator of the strengths and weaknesses of individual higher education institutions and a good performance can only be achieved by the maintenance of the highest standards.

“The NSS shows that Scottish universities are setting the standards in UK education – but it is absolutely imperative that we maintain and enhance that position. Continued support of the sector is vital if Scotland is to remain at the top of this table.

“The results are useful to us in St Andrews, not simply as an endorsement of our efforts to ensure the highest quality of teaching, research and the overall student experience, but as an indication of those areas where we believe we can do even better.”

The numbers of prospective students seeking to study at the University of St Andrews underline its continuing popularity. At present there are 11 applications for every available place at the Fife university, bucking national trends which show a decline in applications to universities in general.

Earlier this month a survey conducted by the Royal Bank of Scotland found St Andrews was the most cost-effective location for study in Scotland and the fourth most cost-effective in the UK.

A recent review carried out by The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education expressed the highest possible level of confidence in St Andrews’ management of the quality of its programmes and academic standards.

Issued by the University of St Andrews. Contact : Niall Scott, tel 01334 462244, mobile 07711 223062


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