The latest Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey results have been announced today, with Dundee University achieving the top mark for offering the best student experience in the UK. The Scottish institution rose from fifth position in last year's survey to knock long-time winners, Loughborough University, off the top spot. Most of the top 10 institutions remain unchanged from the previous year.
The THE survey is an annual survey based on responses from over 14,000 undergraduate students across the UK, and provides an alternative picture of student satisfaction to the National Student Survey.
Now in its seventh year, the survey aims to look beyond the usual definition of the student experience - comprised largely of teaching, learning, assessment and feedback - to a broader definition, one created by students themselves that includes those aspects of university life that matter most to them.
More than 14,000 undergraduates were polled in this year's THE survey, conducted by market research firm YouthSight - 1,000 more respondents than in the previous year.
John Gill, editor of THE, said: "Student expectations are rising in line with the increase in tuition fees this autumn, putting pressure on universities both to compete for students and to ensure that they are not disappointed with their experience once they arrive. While universities must never put the student experience before academic concerns, its value to undergraduates cannot be underestimated. We hope this year's survey will help universities to raise their game, learn from the best and meet the challenges of higher expectations and greater 'consumer' demand."
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The best student experience - Top 10 |
2011 rank |
2010 rank |
|
Loughborough University University of Oxford University of Cambridge University of East Anglia University of Southampton Aberystwyth University |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 =8 =8 =8 |
5 1 2 6 4 3 10 9 7 8 |
Source: Times Higher Education Experience Survey.
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Read more about the methodology of other renowned rankings such as the Times Good University Rankings.
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Photo: Students enjoy the sun at University of Dundee's campus.
