Students at the Bay Campus sitting outside a cafe

Swansea University has been ranked 12th for overall student satisfaction in the 2021 National Student Survey (NSS).

Published on 15 July, the results reveal that 82 per cent of Swansea students say that they are satisfied with their course overall.

The NSS is a comprehensive UK-wide survey of students’ views carried out independently and anonymously by Ipsos-MORI. Students are asked their views on areas such as teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, the organisation and management of their course, learning resources, the student voice and their Students’ Union. 

Every university in the UK takes part in the NSS, and 332,500 students responded to this year’s survey.

As well as its UK rank of 12th, Swansea is ranked second in Wales for overall satisfaction, and it increased its ranking in seven of the nine thematic areas.   

Swansea increased its ranking for Teaching by 23 places to 21st place overall, and its UK ranking for Student Voice by 10 places to 18th overall.

At the subject level, Swansea is ranked top in Wales in 33 subject areas, and in the top 10 for overall satisfaction in 26 of the 59 subjects it appears in across the UK.

Top 10 rankings were achieved by:

Archaeology (1st); Biology (non-specific) (1st); English Language (1st); Others in Business and Management (1st); American and Australasian Studies (2nd); Human Geography (2nd); Materials Technology (2nd); Law (3rd); Media Studies (3rd): Social Policy (3rd); Children’s Nursing (4th); Classics (4th); Complementary and Alternative Medicine (4th); Healthcare Science (non-specific) (4th);  Welsh Studies (4th); Zoology (4th); Computer Science (5th); Midwifery (5th); Chemistry (6th); Genetics (7th); Social Work (7th); Teacher Training (7th); Physical Geographical Sciences (8th); Physics (9th); Politics (9th); Software Engineering (10th).

These latest accolades follow Swansea’s recent climb in the QS World University Rankings, to 440th in the world, and achieving its highest ever position in the Complete University Guide League Tables, where it is now ranked 29th.

Professor Martin Stringer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: “The results of the NSS this year highlight the hard work and effort by all staff to provide the best possible experience for our students under very difficult circumstances. In particular, our increases in rankings for Teaching and Student Voice showcase the incredible work that was done to prepare for last year, the work of all those involved in training and supporting our learning and teaching, the inclusion of students at all levels of our decision making, and our dedication to the student experience across the University.

“The increase in rankings for the majority of the survey themes is a huge achievement for the University given the challenges we have faced, and the pace and flexibility we have demonstrated in meeting them, these achievements are something we should be extremely proud of. Our continued success in the NSS is testament to staff dedication and commitment to the student experience, helping us to deliver top quality teaching, world-leading research, and an exceptional student experience despite these challenges.”

View the 2021 NSS results in full.

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