University of Sunderland ranks 7th in the UK for most satisfied students

The University of Sunderland has ranked 7^th in the UK for the most satisfied students, according to Times Higher Education’s (THE) analysis of National Student Survey (NSS) results.

The latest poll of final-year students showed a rise in positivity scores on all aspects of higher education courses, including teaching and free speech.

Sunderland’s positivity score is 88.2 per cent, putting the University in 7^th place overall.

THE's analysis looks at universities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, removing a small number of institutions if they had a low response rate.

The full ranked list of 138 institutions can be found here.

It comes as delighted students have praised courses at the University in this year’s NSS.

A diverse range of programmes across all the University faculties have received 100% positivity scores from students.

The University came first in the north-east for how well teaching staff support students' learning, as well as topping the regional league for learning opportunities.

The University is also first in the region for how free students feel to express their ideas, opinions and beliefs.

The NSS is the biggest survey of final-year students’ views in the UK. The main questionnaire provides widely published data that informs university league tables.

And this year’s results proved a win for the University’s courses.

The survey revealed 100% positivity ratings for the academic support available on programmes including Education Studies, Criminology, Childhood Studies, Health and Social Care, Biochemistry, Physiotherapy, and Law, among many others.

The quality of teaching achieved 100% positivity ratings in Education Studies, Professional Policing, Tourism and Events Management, as well as Children and Young People’s Nursing Practice.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, said: “For the University of Sunderland, the National Student Survey is one important indicator as it gives us direct insight into the views and experience of students – and we are very pleased with this year’s results.

“While surveys cannot give us all the information we need, they are important in offering feedback from students which will help us to identify what we do well and highlight areas where we could make improvements.”

Overall, students praised the University’s student-focused teaching, with 88.1% reacting positively on the theme of Assessment and Feedback – 2.4% above the Office for Students (OfS) benchmark.

The University’s professions-facing strategy, which aims to get our students job-ready, also proved successful with 91.5% reacting positively when asked how well their course developed the knowledge and skills for the future, 1.5% above the OfS benchmark.

Many other areas also proved successful, with students giving ‘Learning opportunities’ at the University an 89.1% positivity rate – 0.9% above the OfS benchmark. While 84.7% praised the University’s efforts in the ‘Student Voice’ theme – 1.3% above the OfS benchmark.

Sunderland’s commitment to putting students at the heart of everything they do also proved popular, scoring a 92.3% positivity score when it came to students expressing their ideas, options and beliefs.

Sunderland Students’ Union was also highlighted for representing the academic interests of the University community, coming in with an 85.2% positivity rating, 1.9% above the sector average.

Ade Adeoye, President at Sunderland Students’ Union, said: “The results of this year’s NSS are very positive and we are delighted to see the progress made over the past 12 months.

“We look forward to continuing to make the student experience the best it can be, working to achieve this aim alongside the University.

“At the Students’ Union, we are passionate about helping to positively and meaningfully shape students’ lives for the future.”

More than 360,000 students took part in this year’s survey, with the results released on 8 July.