Stirling students have again given their University a resounding vote of confidence, as the results of the 2009 National Student Survey are announced.

The University has improved its marks in the National Student Survey, which measures satisfaction with their course by asking final year students to rate a range of criteria from teaching to IT.

In answer to the key question whether they were satisfied with the overall quality of their course; a resounding 88 per cent of Stirling students said they were, up from 86 per cent last year.

A University of Stirling spokesman said: “We’re pleased that so many students continue to rate their experience of Stirling so highly. Student feedback and input is vital and this independent survey is a useful indicator of how well we are doing in our commitment to improving the student experience. We will be looking closely at the detail of this year’s survey, taking action and making improvements in response to what our students are saying.“

The National Student Survey is targeted mostly at final year undergraduates and provides students with an opportunity to make their opinions on their higher education student experience count at a national level. The results are analysed and used to compile a year-on-year comparison of data which helps prospective students make informed choices of where and what to study, and enables the participating institutions to identify and improve in areas where they may have let their students down.

Students answered ‘mostly agree’ or ‘definitely agree’ to the question ‘Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course’. Most Scottish universities performed above the UK average of 82%, as follows:

St Andrews - 92%
Glasgow - 90%
Aberdeen - 89%
Stirling - 88%
Dundee - 88%
Strathclyde - 86%
Glasgow Caledonian - 84%
Robert Gordon - 84%
Edinburgh - 83%
Heriot-Watt - 81%
Napier - 81%

The National Student Survey results are published at www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/nss/data/2009/