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Student satisfaction rises

21 September 2010

Student satisfaction

Overall student satisfaction at Cardiff University rose this year – and remains above the Welsh and UK national averages.

The 2010 National Student Survey revealed that 86 per cent of final year undergraduates either agreed or strongly agreed they were satisfied with the quality of their course. This was an increase on last year’s 85 per cent result and above the average of 82 per cent for both Wales and the UK.

The University’s ratings also improved in all six key performance areas measured by the Survey. These are:

  • The quality of teaching on students’ courses
  • Assessment and feedback
  • Academic support
  • Organisation and management
  • The learning resources provided
  • Students’ personal development

Many individual schools achieved outstanding results. Cardiff was rated the best in the UK for four subjects – dentistry (98 per cent satisfaction), opthalmics (97 per cent), pharmacy (99 per cent) and biomedical science (98 per cent). In all, approval rates of more than 90 per cent were scored in 22 subjects, covering the humanities, science, engineering, healthcare and the professions.

Professor Paul Dummer, Vice-Dean for Learning & Teaching at one of the top-ranked schools, Dentistry, said: “For the past two years we have undertaken a continuous improvement programme of projects to review and enhance the effectiveness of our educational provision.  It is pleasing to see that these efforts are being recognised by our students, but we are determined to continue improving.”

The results come after every academic school was asked to analyse last year’s NSS performance and to come up with improvements. New ideas have included “diary rooms”, where students can highlight problem areas, and the use of text messaging, to keep students updated on course changes. The quality of teaching was a particular strength for Cardiff this year, with an average satisfaction rate of 88 per cent. There has also been improvement in the University’s overall performance in relation to feedback and assessment (a 4 per cent rise in this year’s satisfaction level) but there is some unevenness and this is an area for further sustained improvement. The University is specifically targeting this area in 2010/11

Professor Jonathan Osmond, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students, said: “The past year has seen a lot of work by the schools and by central administrative staff to respond to issues raised by students. This is reflected in this increased rating for the University and the high satisfaction levels achieved by so many schools. There is still a lot of work to be done, and these Survey results, along with the University’s own monitoring of student satisfaction, will be a basis for further strengthening of the educational provision and student experience at Cardiff.”

 

 

NSS Case study: School of Dentistry

For the last two years the School of Dentistry has been running the Modernising Dental Education (MDE) Programme - a strategic initiative to manage a review of the Schools’ educational provision with the overall aim being to ensure it excelled in how it trains future dentists and dental care professionals.

Why was the Modernising Dental Education Programme set up?

 The Modernising Dental Education programme was set up to review the current educational provision and resource utilisation within the School and Dental Division of the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, with an objective to help ensure the delivery of the highest standard of patient care and student experience.

What did the Modernising Dental Education Programme include?

The programme of projects encompassed all aspects of the School’s educational activities, including learning, teaching, assessments and clinical training within the School and University Dental Hospital, as well as in community-based clinics and primary dental care educational units. The programme also focused on how best to use University Health Board and School resources to enhance student experience and patient care.

How did students give feedback?

  • A Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Survey was conducted at the start of the Modernising Dental Education Programme to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum and education provision.  Regular surveys are issued to students at the end of each academic year to identify areas of improvements.
  • National Student Survey Focus Groups were held with students.
  • Modernising Dental Education also adopted an innovative approach and included students in the decision making process when planning various improvements (for example, student representatives were members of the MDE Steering Group).

What happened next?

The School made considerable efforts to listen to student feedback and act upon any issues that were highlighted. Project groups were formed and investigations made to find out how best the School could address student concerns. The results were communicated to students via action plans summarised in a series of bright posters around the School illustrating the student feedback, School action and end result.