St Andrews top for satisfaction

Students at the University of St Andrews have voted themselves the most satisfied in the UK – according to the National Student Survey 2016 published today (Wednesday 10 August 2016).

The National Student Survey (NSS) is a high-profile census of nearly half a million students across the UK, undertaken independently by Ipsos MORI. This is the eighth time in the past 10 years that the University of St Andrews has been ranked in the top two across the UK.

Of the St Andrews final year students surveyed, 94% gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience, the University’s highest ever score in the past decade. The survey reflects student responses to core questions relating to academic support, learning resources, teaching, management, assessment, personal development and satisfaction.

St Andrews shares top spot with Keele University, ahead of Cambridge and Oxford (joint 11th), while Scottish universities have again performed well in the survey – nine are ranked among the UK’s top 50.

St Andrews Vice-Principal and Proctor, Professor Lorna Milne, said: “This should be great news for those joining our academic family in 2016, as this year’s graduates assure incoming students that they’ve made the right choice. This ranking confirms we have superb staff waiting to greet them, and a community where the greatest satisfaction goes together with the most ambitious challenges. Nonetheless, we take all feedback seriously and will be looking for opportunities for further enhancements to the St Andrews experience.

“Scottish universities are setting excellent standards in UK education, and we are delighted that the NSS can be taken as such a positive endorsement of hard work and achievement in our sector.”

Charlotte Andrew, President of the St Andrews Students’ Association, said: “This demonstration of confidence from our graduating class clearly shows that the St Andrews experience is outstanding. I feel proud and privileged to have shared in that, and I hope this news encourages students from around the globe to continue to apply and contribute to the University of St Andrews. I have full faith that both the University and the Students’ Association will continue to look for ways to improve upon what we provide to every student.”

The NSS results follow high rankings for St Andrews in the major independent University league tables published this summer – The Complete University Guide and the Guardian University Guide both named St Andrews top in Scotland and within the UK top five.

Notes to news editors

Issued by the University of St Andrews press office. Contact: Emma Shea, tel 01334 462 167, mobile 07850 900 352, or email [email protected]. The press office can be contacted on 01334 462 530.