National Student Survey results will drive change at Imperial

As National Student Survey results are published, Imperial stresses the need for change to the College's approach to the student experience.

This year’s survey results, published Wednesday 10 August, say 83% of survey participants “definitely” or “mostly” agree that their overall experience at Imperial was satisfactory. The data, capturing feedback from undergraduates who completed their degree this summer, represents a five percentage point drop in overall satisfaction compared to the College’s results last year.

Imperial’s Provost Professor James Stirling said: “We are taking the feedback from this year’s NSS very seriously. I have asked the College’s new Vice-Provost (Education) to make it her number one priority to understand where we have fallen short in the experience we offer to students. We need a fresh approach to respond to student feedback and we’ll be working with departments and Imperial College Union as we develop new action plans.

“Striving to provide a world class education and experience is core to Imperial’s mission. We are proud of our students’ outstanding achievements on Campus and in the wider world, and determined to make sure Imperial is the very best place it can be for them.”

As part of its response to this year’s results, the College will be working with Imperial College Union to review the results in detail and to develop a joint action plan to address problem areas identified. The progress of this will be overseen by Imperial’s Provost’s Board, one of its senior management bodies. The College also plans to introduce new teaching initiatives with a focus on student feedback, research experience and entrepreneurial opportunities, and has already committed funds to develop these.

At her Annual Address in March Imperial’s President Alice Gast noted that the College was not excellent in this area, and the need for change - a priority within the College Strategy for 2015-2020. Stressing the importance of collaboration in this, she said: “Working with our student community is at the heart of these changes. They know excellent teaching when they see it.”

Professor Simone Buitendijk

Imperial’s new Vice-Provost (Education) Professor Simone Buitendijk said: “As some of the brightest young minds in the world, our students rightly expect the best from us.

“We care deeply about providing them with the world-class educational experience they deserve. I am naturally concerned about these results, but also determined that we understand them properly and learn from them.

“We’ll be reviewing this year’s results very carefully and working closely with Imperial College Union to make the changes necessary to improve the student experience. This is a pressing priority for me in my first few months at the College.”

Nas Andriopoulos

Imperial College Union produces an annual response to the National Student Survey, identifying actions and recommendations for the College. The Union’s new President Nas Andriopoulos said: “We are pleased to see the College take these results seriously. We welcome the renewed commitment from the President, Provost and the new Vice-Provost (Education) to close collaboration with Imperial College Union, and we can reassure our members that their voice will be heard as we work together to ensure all students continue to receive a world-class education.”

Top photo: Thomas Angus