14 January 2010
Sheffield within top 5 in country for student experience
The University of Sheffield has received national acclaim after being named as one of the top 5 universities in the UK in a national student experience survey. Students also rated Sheffield as number one in the country for its library and joint top (with Loughborough) for its Students' Union.
More than 10,000 students were surveyed for the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, which aims to show which universities offer the best all-round student experience. Students across the country were asked to rate how their University performed against 21 different attributes which determine a positive and negative student experience.
Students rated the University of Sheffield's library services the best in the UK in the survey, reflecting not only the University's investment in the Information Commons, but also in other aspects of its library services.
Martin Lewis, Director of Library Services & University Librarian said: "This great result confirms the strong performance on student satisfaction from our own surveys. It reflects great credit on the University Library's staff, who have made huge efforts to develop our services and who are passionate about helping students to access and use information effectively. It also reflects a really good partnership with the Students' Union and with our academic colleagues."
Based solely on all the facilties Sheffield offers its students, the University also came second in the country, behind Loughborough University. This included the attributes of high quality facilities, good student union, centralised and convenient facilities, good accommodation, cheap shop/bar/amenities, good library and library opening hours, and good sports facilities.
The University of Sheffield is constantly investing in its campus, and in the last five years has seen the opening of the award winning University Health Centre and the state-of-the-art Information Commons; a £23 million learning resource centre with over 1,000 study spaces.
The University of Sheffield's award-winning Students' Union, recognised as the best Students' Union in the country, has a packed weekly entertainment programme alongside the Student Advice Centre offering support to its students on a range of problems and the Student Job Shop which helps students find work during term time. Students can also benefit from a wide range of sporting facilities at Sheffield, including a Matrix Bouldering Wall and the S10 health fitness centre.
Paul Tobin, President of the Students' Union, said: "It is vital that a University has a strong Students' Union to support its students and these results clearly show that the excellent services we provide, along with the dedication and support of our staff, make the student experience unforgettable."
Professor Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: "In the face of intense competition both in the UK and overseas, it is great to see that our students believe this University provides an excellent supportive study environment, first rate facilities and a thriving social experience. This award reflects the enthusiasm and commitment of all our staff and the work they do to ensure our students have a great student experience here at Sheffield."
Overall the University of Sheffield came fourth in the table for the second year running, behind Loughborough, Cambridge and Oxford respectively. Notes for Editors: To view the Times Higher Education article, please click here
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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