Results from this year’s National Student Survey (NSS) published
today show an increase in students rating their access to
resources positively, while views of teaching quality still lag
behind pre-pandemic levels.
The survey – one of the largest of its kind in the world with
almost 325,000 responses across the UK this year – highlights
some overall improvements in students’ views about the quality of
their education, with significant variation between individual
universities and colleges.
There is also variation in the views of students studying
different subjects – with 89 per cent of veterinary students
positive about the quality of teaching on their course, compared
with 76 per cent of computing students across the UK. While many
subjects have shown signs of post-pandemic recovery, there is a
small further dip in positive ratings for medicine and dentistry,
and physical sciences, on the teaching quality questions.
Nevertheless, as face-to-face learning resumed for most courses,
the NSS showed majorities of students rating their overall view
of their course positively. There was a marked increase in the
percentage of students reporting positively on their access to
learning resources for their course, with 81 per cent of students
in England agreeing with the statement in 2022, compared with 73
per cent in 2021. Overall, 80 per cent of students gave positive
responses about the quality of their teaching, which is unchanged
from 2021, but a reduction from 84 per cent in 2020.
Other findings from the survey showed that, for students studying
in England:
· 77 per cent (compared
with 72 per cent in 2021) agreed that IT resources and facilities
supported their learning well
· 84 per cent agreed
that staff explained things well, representing no change from
last year
· 65 per cent (compared
with 64 per cent in 2021) agreed their course was well organised
and running smoothly
· 71 per cent (70 per
cent in 2021) agreed that changes in the course were communicated
effectively.
The survey asks students questions about a range of factors
related to their academic experience, including the teaching on
their course, assessment and feedback, and how well courses are
organised.
Susan Lapworth, interim chief executive of the Office for
Students, said:
‘This year’s graduates bore the brunt of the pandemic, with much
of their time at university affected by lockdowns and other
restrictions on student life. The NSS has played an important
role in capturing students’ views during this extraordinarily
difficult time for students and university staff. This year’s
results show that there is still more to do if students’ views of
the quality of their course are to improve to pre-pandemic
levels. This should be an immediate priority for many
universities and colleges.
‘Universities and colleges have – by and large – worked hard to
return to in-person teaching and ensure students have access to
the facilities they need for successful study. It is, therefore,
welcome to see a marked increase in the proportion of students
agreeing that the resources universities and colleges offer are
up to scratch. But on this – and every measure – there are
substantial differences in students’ views depending on which
subject they study.
‘Each university and college will now want to reflect on its
results to ensure that the quality of courses remains high. The
OfS is stepping up its interventions to ensure that students from
all backgrounds have a high quality education and we will draw on
NSS outcomes to inform our work.’
The data from this year’s NSS will be published on the Discover
Uni website in early autumn, providing valuable information to
inform students’ choices about what and where to study.
ENDS
Notes
1. The Office for Students is the
independent regulator for higher education in England. Our aim is
to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a
fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their
lives and careers.
2. This year’s NSS was open to students
from 6 January to 30 April 2022. 324,329 students responded to
the survey, a 68.6 per cent response rate.
3. Questions were asked on a five-point
scale: Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor
disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree.
4. The OfS is implementing the findings
from the NSS review to ensure the continuing relevance of the
survey. This review includes changes to the way data is reported,
improved guidance to assist universities and colleges and to
prevent inappropriate influence on the responses of
students.
5. You can find the full set of data
on our website.
