National Student Survey 2010
Projects like these may never have happened without student feedback - your opinion does matter. See more examples.
Finalists, take a break and join the National Student Survey (NSS)
This is your chance to tell the University - and the world - what you think about your experiences at Loughborough.
Why should I take part?
- To improve the quality of the Loughborough Experience
- To show employers and other students the quality of Loughborough University
- To help future students make the right choice
It only takes 5 - 10 minutes and makes a good break from studying.
Not Convinced?
- What is the NSS?
- What's it for?
- How long will it take?
- How have we done in previous years?
- What happens to the results, can I see them?
- What does the Students' Union say?
- What if I don't want to take part?
- How will my feedback help?
What is the NSS?
A survey of finalist undergraduates in all UK higher education institutions, about their learning and teaching experience.
What's it for?
- To help change the student experience for the better.
- To help other students choose the right university and the right course.
How long will it take?
Just 5-10 minutes and it's completely anonymous.
How did we do in previous years?
Since the NSS began six years ago, Loughborough has consistently been ranked in the top 5 UK universities, with up to 80% of our subject areas in the top 10 for overall satisfaction.
Since the survey began, the scores that students have given Loughborough have risen, showing that the University has responded to concerns that students expressed in earlier years.
Loughborough has also consistently had one of the best student response rates - the highest of any UK university in 2008.
Your feedback will make a difference.
Where can I see the results?
The results will be published in summer 2010 on the Unistats website run by UCAS - along with the results of all other UK higher education institutions, and results from the previous years.
The results will be used by:
- the University, to improve the Loughborough Experience
- prospective students choosing their University
- employers
What does the Students' Union say?
Loughborough Students' Union and the NUS both fully support the NSS and want all students to take part, because it gives them evidence to pressure universities for change. Every year the Union works with the University to encourage students to take part.
What if I don't want to take part?
You may opt out at any time by contacting Ipsos-MORI, but please don't do so before talking to a member of the Union Exec, one of your department or hall committee, or to staff in your department. Your opinion really does matter.
How will my feedback help?
The NSS is one of the most important ways the University finds out what our students think. The results are used along with other student feedback to decide what actions the University takes, and how it invests for the future.
The images at the top of the page show just a few examples of where student feedback has been key in the recent development of the University you can find some more below.
Teaching and Learning
- new teaching spaces: students directly involved in developing new teaching spaces, including James France refurbishment - open in summer 2010 with a mezzanine floor for informal student learning
- 24/7 study spaces: more 24/7 silent study spaces available in the exam period
- see it on Learn: more lecture-captures on Learn – helpful if you miss a lecture or the subject is complex
- NSS results are a standing item on departments’ Staff Student Liaison Committees
- NSS results used:
- in the annual review of all programmes that every department carries out with University staff, and in the major five-yearly review conducted by a Panel which includes a Students’ Union rep and an academic assessor from another University
- student comments used by departments – eg to create student learning spaces, to develop student feedback resources, develop coursework feedback forms – etc
- module specifications improved – including the form of feedback that students can expect
- generic feedback on exams now given as standard
- review of project/dissertation modules – providing clear assessment criteria and interim feedback
- University projects on links between attendance and performance, and on student induction
- engCETL resources to enhance teaching and learning: placement students helped develop resources to enhance teaching and learning – including
- MS Office 2007
- user-manuals for frequently-used equipment
- introducing Matlab through control of Lego Mindstorms.
IT
- Google email for students: new Google email service for students launched January 2010
- wireless: campus wireless networking, second to none, being rolled out to off-campus halls
- printing prices & colour printers: more colour printers have been installed across campus and printing prices reduced
- drop-in PC Clinic - and new hardware support service for students’ own computers
- employment opportunities: more part-time employment jobs on campus for students - and more student placements in the University
- on-line payment for University services
Careers
- recession advice on the web http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/section/news/recession.html#employers
- CV and application advice – make the best of your chances of getting a job
- support for students whose placements are curtailed
- skills programmes, work-shadowing scheme and careers fairs - to increase your employment opportunities
- Employability Award http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/section/lboroaward/index.html
Library
- opening hours increased - to midnight 7 days a week (term-time) and 24/7 at exam times
- more PCs
- use your own – changes Level 3 study space enables you to use your own laptop
- ‘reserved’ spaces: acting to stop others ‘reserving’ study spaces in exam periods by leaving belongings while they go off elsewhere (in liaison with the Students’ Union)
Mathematics Education Centre
- support for any student not confident in Maths, including workshops and support group
- peer-support: 2nd years helping 1st years with their Maths
- electronic voting systems for questions in class - developed by student internships
- extra support for students with additional needs including 1:1 help, workshops and individual learning plans
- expert specialist help for students with dyscalculia
Sport
- extra space and resources being developed across campus for recreational sport
