University of Exeter a leader in student satisfaction

Its overall satisfaction mark, of 90 per cent, is the same as last year.

“It’s very good news to once again be rated in the Top 10 for student satisfaction,” said Professor Janice Kay, the University’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. “It is especially pleasing to see our students’ own views about how they are assessed and how we help their personal development so substantially improved.”

For personal development, Exeter jumped to 10th against its peers, up from 25th last year, and to 5th, up from 14th, for assessment and feedback.

The improvement in personal development follows additional investment by the university in student employability and career development.

The strong performance comes just weeks after the Exeter Students’ Guild won Higher Education Students’ Union of the Year at the National Union of Students annual awards.

It also comes in the midst of a £275 million investment programme on the Streatham campus, aimed at improving students’ experience and learning even further. The project includes a new centrepiece called the Forum, expansion of the Business School, extra facilities for Biosciences and additional student accommodation.

Jonnie Beddall, Guild President, said: “It is a credit to the efforts of the University and the Students' Guild that we have maintained our Top 10 position particularly when you consider the significant changes on campus. The scores for teaching, assessment & feedback, and personal development all boasted impressive increases. As NUS Student Union of the Year we are excited about working with the University to further improve the University experience.”

The National Student Survey, now in its sixth year, is a census of final year undergraduates. Exeter is ranked sixth amongst its peers once private, specialist universities are excluded.