NSS 2009
In 2009, 208,000 students in the UK answered the survey, giving a response rate of 62%. Imperial had 890 students respond to the survey, a response rate of 51%. This compares to a sector response rate of 66%, and Imperial response rate of 56% in 2008.
Graph 1 (below) shows the percentage of students answering "mostly agree" or "definitely agree" to the questions in each of the categories. Imperial's results are compared to average results for the Russell Group and the Sector. These results have been aggregated up to question category level.
Graph 2 (below) shows, for each College subject, the percentage of students answering "mostly agree" or "definitely agree" to NSS Q22, "Overall I am satisfied with the quality of my course." Imperial's results are compared to the Russell Group and Sector averages. Imperial has a higher level of satisfaction than both Russell Group and Sector averages in five subjects, and a lower level than both in seven subjects. The College has a higher level than the Sector but lower than the Russell Group average in two subjects, and a higher level than the Russell Group Average but a lower level than the Sector in one subject.
Table 1 (below) shows the percentage of students for the College in 2009 and in 2008 answering "mostly agree" or "definitely agree" to each of the 22 NSS questions, compared to the Sector Average and Russell Group Average (RGA) in 2009. The College has higher percentage levels of satisfaction in 2009 than in 2008 for 15 of the 22 NSS questions, and the same percentage level of satisfaction in 2009 as in 2008 for 5 of the 22 NSS questions. The College has lower percentage levels of satisfaction in 2009 than in 2008 for two of the 22 NSS questions.
NSS question | Imperial 2009 % Satisfied | Imperial 2008 % Satisfied | Sector 2009 % Satisfied | Russell Group 2009 % satisfied |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Staff are good at explaining things | 85 | 84 | 87 | 89 |
2. Staff have made the subject interesting | 75 | 71 | 79 | 81 |
3. Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching | 80 | 78 | 83 | 86 |
4. The course is intellectually stimulating | 87 | 87 | 83 | 88 |
5. The criteria used in marking have been clear in advance | 58 | 58 | 70 | 64 |
6. Assessment arrangements and marking have been fair | 72 | 69 | 73 | 72 |
7. Feedback on my work has been prompt | 45 | 43 | 58 | 54 |
8. I have received detailed comments on my work | 42 | 37 | 63 | 52 |
9. Feedback on my work has helped me clarify things I did not understand | 46 | 40 | 57 | 50 |
10. I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies | 63 | 62 | 72 | 71 |
11. I have been able to contact staff when I needed to | 81 | 77 | 81 | 85 |
12. Good advice was available when I needed to make study choices | 66 | 65 | 69 | 67 |
13. The timetable works efficiently as far as my activities are concerned | 77 | 77 | 77 | 81 |
14. Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively | 76 | 79 | 70 | 76 |
15. The course is well organised and is running smoothly | 79 | 78 | 70 | 77 |
16. The library resources and services are good enough for my needs | 94 | 85 | 81 | 86 |
17. I have been able to access general IT resources when I needed to | 92 | 90 | 85 | 89 |
18. I have been able to access specialised equipment, facilities or rooms when I needed to | 83 | 80 | 76 | 80 |
19. The course has helped me present myself with confidence | 75 | 76 | 78 | 76 |
20. My communication skills have improved | 80 | 82 | 81 | 80 |
21. As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems | 81 | 81 | 78 | 78 |
22. Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course | 85 | 85 | 82 | 85 |
Table 1: NSS 2009 Percentage levels of Satisfaction by Question for the College (2009 and 2008), the UK Sector Average (2009) and the Russell Group Average (2009). |