Birkbeck tops poll again for student satisfaction and teaching in London
Students at Birkbeck are the most satisfied in London according to the National Student Survey
Students at Birkbeck are the most satisfied in the capital according to the National Student Survey published today. The results are part of new standardised data, called Key Information Sets (KIS), which are available for the first time on the Unistats website.
Birkbeck was voted number one in the prestigious National Student Survey for overall satisfaction and quality of teaching among multi-faculty higher education institutions in London. Measured out of five, Birkbeck’s overall satisfaction score increased from 4.2 last year to 4.3 this year; the teaching score was the same as last year at 4.3.
Undergraduate feedback
The annual survey is commissioned by the Higher Education Council for England (HEFCE) and administered by the pollsters Ipsos MORI. Its findings are based on feedback from undergraduates about many different aspects of the student experience, including the standard of teaching, assessment, academic support, learning resources and overall satisfaction.
This year’s results have been welcomed by Birkbeck’s students. Gerald Nathanson, 78, has just completed a History (BA) degree at the College, and he praised staff for helping him fulfil his dream. He said: “I’ve dedicated four years to doing this, but I felt so privileged to be able to do it. From the moment I walked through the College doors, I was smiling, and people smiled back. The tutors, the IT staff, the librarians, the porters, the canteen staff – I really felt like they were all supporting me and it gave me such a lift.”
Consistently number one in London
Tricia King, Pro-Vice-Master for Student Experience and Director of External Relations at Birkbeck, said: “We are delighted our students continue to score Birkbeck so highly. The College has consistently ranked number one in London since the National Student Survey began in 2005. These results reflect the hard work and enthusiasm at the College to inspire learning and cater to the needs of all our students, irrespective of their age or background. The top satisfaction and teaching ratings are evidence that evening study for busy Londoners by world-class researchers is popular and works.”
King added: “Birkbeck is London’s only specialist provider of evening higher education, and all of our staff are experienced at supporting students managing study alongside careers or other commitments with their studies. We are looking forward to welcoming our new and returning students to Birkbeck next week at the start of the new term.”
More data about Birkbeck's courses and its students can also be found as part of the KIS on Unistats – the website for comparing official information about universities and colleges in the UK. Statistics include the high rate of employment and further study (87 per cent) and low rate of registered unemployed (five per cent) six months after students complete their courses at Birkbeck.
A widget summarising information from the KIS will be available on Birkbeck’s undergraduate course pages in the coming weeks.