Brunel University

NSS 2011: Brunel is the UK’s most improved university for student satisfaction16 Aug 2011

Brunel is the UK’s most improved university for student satisfaction, according to the National Student Survey for 2011.

The University climbed 78 places to 45th out of 141 higher education institutions, ranked by overall satisfaction rate. Out of the 22 universities in London, Brunel is now joint fifth with Imperial College and SOAS. Results in all six of the themes investigated by the survey showed significant improvement for Brunel since 2010. The University is now in the UK’s upper quartile based on satisfaction rate for Learning Resources (up 30 places to 11th), Assessment and Feedback (up 110 places to 19th), and Academic Support (up 78 places to 34th). At subject level, Brunel was ranked in the upper quartile for overall satisfaction in 12 subject areas, including four subjects in the sector top ten: 

• 100% of History students were satisfied with their course, as in 2010;
• Design was in the sector top three for all six of the themes investigated by the survey, with 94% overall student satisfaction;
• 97% of Physiotherapy students were satisfied, and the subject area was in the sector top ten for all six of the survey’s themes;
• Mathematics and Statistics moved 47 places up the ranking list, with 95% overall satisfaction.

20 of the 25 subject areas in which Brunel’s courses were included showed improvement in satisfaction rate from 2010, including a 53 place rise for the University in Business Studies.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Jenks said: “The improvements in the National Student Survey are the result of years of hard work by University staff and the Students' Union in listening carefully to students’ needs and investing appropriately in our campus, its facilities and additional learning resources. We have a long term plan to create a unique environment in which to deliver an excellent experience for our students.”

The NSS is a national survey including all institutions and all subject areas, in which students report on their experiences at university. All final year students (home/EU and international) are eligible to participate.