18 February 2011

Sheffield ranked second in National Student Experience poll

Our University has been ranked second for the quality of the student experience it offers in this year’s Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. This means that we have risen two places in the poll since last year, when we came fourth.

Our University, while second overall is ranked first in our region and we top the poll in a number of categories. Our University was voted as the university most people would recommend to a friend. Our Students’ Union was voted number one in the country, and we were polled joint first for our library facilities.

We are at the top of the rankings for our extracurricular activities and societies, and also scored highly for our high quality staff and lectures, community atmosphere and the environment on and around campus. Our accommodation was also joint top, a high ranking which is borne out by the results of our own Accommodation and Commercial Services Survey which was published recently.

The survey does also suggest some areas where our students think we might be able to improve. Our scores are consistently better than average, however the results suggest that we could do better in developing personal relationships between teaching staff and students, as well as in our connections with industry.

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.

In the survey, Russell Group universities rank highly on their performance in different aspects of the student experience. The Russell Group also does consistently well across the domains of teaching and learning, social life (where our University is joint first) and facilities.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett, said: "The choice to go to a particular University is so much more than an investment decision about a future career. It is a life-changing opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop socially as well as academically.

“Our top class student facilities are home to a vibrant community and a student experience which is enriching to the whole person. We believe university life in Sheffield will inspire students for the rest of their lives. We are absolutely delighted that our students agree.”

Students' Union President, Joshua Forstenzer said: “We work very hard at improving the student experience year on year and I am thrilled that the creativity and dedication of staff and students is recognised and celebrated by our students. More fundamentally, I believe it is our shared faith in every day student leadership and community building which truly sets Sheffield a part from the rest.”

To view the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey visit: www.timeshighereducation.co.uk