News Centre

High levels of student satisfaction

15 September 2007

The 2007 National Student Survey revealed that Cardiff students had the highest levels of satisfaction in six areas – Zoology, Mechanical/Production Engineering, Social Studies Subjects, Planning, Journalism and Linguistics. No other University had more than four top-ranked subject areas.

The University also received a high overall rating, with 87 per cent of all students who responded saying they were satisfied with their courses. The figure is an increase on last year and above the national average of 81 per cent. Cardiff was placed sixth among its peers in the Russell Group of research-led universities for overall satisfaction.

Students are particularly impressed with the quality of their teaching, with 90 per cent saying staff were good at explaining their subject, while 87 per cent find their courses intellectually stimulating. There was also high appreciation of learning resources, with 89 per cent praising the libraries and 94 per cent satisfied with the IT resources.

Professor Jonathan Osmond, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Students, said: "It is good to see Cardiff at the top of the national tables in so many subjects and teaching staff in the respective schools are to be congratulated. The University’s high overall score is also pleasing and shows students recognise the world-leading quality of teaching and learning available at Cardiff."

The National Student Survey is now in its third year, with final year students asked to rate their courses on 22 criteria. Cardiff University has worked in partnership with the Students’ Union to ensure as high a level of participation of possible.

The NSS results are considered annually together with other internal forms of information gathering, including feedback from student representatives. Work is already well under way to enhance further the student experience.