Provost recognises departments’ performance in student surveys

The National Student Survey (NSS), and Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) provide valuable feedback, and form part of UCL’s commitment to encouraging student feedback and engagement to build an inspirational student experience.

UCL recognises the work colleagues do to make improvements in departments, schools and divisions. And in December, Michael Arthur, UCL Provost, and Anthony Smith, Vice-Provost (Education & Student Affairs), awarded Provost’s Commendations, at a reception for Heads of Departments and Teaching Administrators, to departments that had the highest overall satisfaction scores, and the most improved satisfaction scores, for each of these surveys during 2018. 

Student feedback leads to significant change

The Commendations acknowledge and celebrate the excellent work done by departments to make sure student feedback is taken on board and used to inform changes and improvements to teaching, learning and the wider student experience. Students’ views and suggestions in their responses to the surveys have led to real and significant changes at UCL, including the new Student Centre and increased video recording of lectures. You can see more of the changes made in response to student feedback here.

The NSS is currently live until 30 April. See below for a link to promotional materials, to help you encourage your final-year students to take the survey and give their feedback about UCL and their course.

The Commendations

Commendations for last year’s National Student Survey (NSS) 

Overall Satisfaction (NSS)

• Anthropology achieved the highest Overall Satisfaction score at UCL.
• English Language and Literature had the second best result for Overall Satisfaction, joint with Earth Sciences, and also had excellent scores for Teaching.
• Earth Sciences was in the top three for Overall Satisfaction (and was also commended for its improved scores since 2017). 
• The Slade School of Fine Art was commended for the fourth year running for receiving very high scores, including for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback, and Academic Support.
• The Institute of Archaeology was commended because of its high scores for Academic Support, Assessment and Feedback, and Teaching, as well as Overall Satisfaction. 
• Psychology and Human Development was commended for high scores in Overall Satisfaction, Teaching, and Academic Support. Although not part of the criteria for these commendations, their Learning Community and Student Voice scores were the highest at UCL.

Most improved (NSS) 

These departments were commended for the improvements they had made in their scores, for Overall Satisfaction and/or specific categories, since 2017. 

• SSEES Politics and East European Studies programmes were commended for improved scores for Overall Satisfaction, Teaching, and Assessment and Feedback. 
• Chemical Engineering was praised for its improvement in Overall Satisfaction, Teaching and Academic Support.
• Geography was commended for improved scores in Overall Satisfaction, Teaching, and Assessment and Feedback.

Commendations for last year’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 

Overall Satisfaction (PTES)

• The Institute of Cardiovascular Science achieved notably excellent scores for Overall Satisfaction, Teaching and Learning, and Assessment and Feedback.
• The Division of Psychiatry was commended for very high scores in Overall Satisfaction and Teaching and Learning.
• The Institute for Women’s Health was commended for a very high Overall Satisfaction score, and for receiving the highest score at UCL for Teaching and Learning this year.
• The UCL Medical School scored very highly for Overall Satisfaction and Teaching and Learning, and also had the best score this year for a department with 100+ eligible students in Assessment and Feedback at UCL.
• The Slade School of Fine Art was commended for the third year running, with high Overall Satisfaction and Teaching and Learning scores.
• The Department of Information Studies was commended for impressive Overall Satisfaction, and Teaching and Learning scores. 

Most improved (PTES)

These departments were commended for the improvements they had made in their scores, for Overall Satisfaction and/or specific categories, since 2017. 

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy was commended for an impressive improved score for Overall Satisfaction.
• School of European Languages, Culture and Society was also recognised for its excellent improved score for Overall Satisfaction.

Get involved in this year’s campaigns

The 2019 NSS is now live – please encourage your students to take the survey. Staff can download promotional materials, which runs until 30 April, here. 

The 2019 PTES will launch on Tuesday 23 April 2019, and more details will be sent to departments beforehand.