Dundee ranked in UK’s top 10 for student satisfaction

Published On Wed 9 Aug 2017 by Grant Hill

The University of Dundee is ranked 9th in the UK in the 2017 National Student Survey (NSS), achieving a top 10 place for a second successive year.

The University recorded overall satisfaction of 90 per cent, well above the sector average of 84 per cent, and was ranked 2nd in Scotland. These positive results follow on from the University being given a Gold award – the highest possible rating – in the first Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the results of which were published in June. 

The survey, completed by 80 per cent of final year students, asks 27 questions across eight themes relating to their experiences of learning and teaching. Across these themes, Dundee students ranked their university 5th for Teaching, 9th for Learning Community, 11th for Learning Resources, and 12th for Learning Opportunities.

A 100 per cent satisfaction rating was recorded by Biology, Dentistry and Others in Education (Childhood Practice) students at Dundee, meaning the University is ranked number 1 in the UK for each. A further five subjects are ranked in the top 10 in the UK – Politics (2nd), Medicine (4th), Others in Biological Sciences (4th), Initial Teacher Education (7th) and Law (8th).

Professor Karl Leydecker, Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) at the University, said, “We are delighted and very proud that Dundee is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student experience. This, our Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and many other accolades that the University has received in the past year demonstrates that Dundee is one of the best places in the UK to study.

“This is a collective achievement for the whole University community – students, staff and partner organisations like the NHS as well as Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA). The methodology used  to compile this year’s NSS has changed considerably, but the fact we are again ranked in the top 10 shows that, on whatever measures are used, we deliver an outstanding learning, teaching and student experience.”

Dundee’s success is testament to the strong relationship between the University and DUSA. A new question about DUSA’s role in effectively representing students’ academic interests ranked DUSA 18th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland.

DUSA President Sean O’Connor said, “We will always strive to provide the best student voice, support and experience possible. Through empowering our students through a range of new campaigns and events, we are confident that we can move to the top of the table.

“The DUSA Executive extend our congratulations to the University, who have once again reached the UK’s top 10. We are immensely proud to work hand-in-hand with the University as we strive to continue transforming lives locally and globally whilst producing a world class student experience.”

The NSS results follow on from strong performances by the University in several prestigious rankings.

In other recent successes, Dundee has been:

  • named Scottish University of the Year for both 2016 and 2017 (Times and Sunday Times)
  • ranked in the World’s Top 200 Universities and 28th in the UK (Times Higher World University Rankings 2016/17)
  • ranked in the top 10 in the UK for employability (Times Higher Education 2016)
  • ranked 1st in Scotland, 3rd in the UK and 14th globally for overall average student satisfaction (International Student Barometer 2017)
  • ranked among the top 25 most innovative universities in Europe, 1st in Scotland, and 5th in the UK (Reuters 2017)
  • named the UK’s top university under 50 years old and 16th in the global table (Times Higher Education 2017)

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk