The National Student Survey (NSS)

The National Student Survey (NSS) is a nationwide questionnaire of all final year Undergraduate students in the United Kingdom. The results are key indicators of student academic satisfaction and used widely across the sector, as well as internal to the University, as a measurement of teaching and learning. The NSS 2016 opened on the 18^th January and remains open until the 30^th August.

It is important the School and the wider University has a healthy response rate to ensure that the data is made public in the summer and is valid and represents the view of the majority of students, rather than merely a vocal few.

In 2016 we established a more strategic approach to improving response rates focusing on earlier completion in the first few weeks, with an added incentive and targeted communications to programmes from Programme Leads.

The table below shows the response rates highlighted in the final column against their respective programmes as of 24^th February, of which all but one have surpassed their minimum threshold and we are on course to reach our target of 70% across the board earlier than last year.

Although we have had a high success on the response rates so far the promotion activity will continue over the next few weeks. If I could encourage all members of staff who teach or interact with final years, whether in a personal tutor, seminar or lecturer capacity, to encourage them to complete the NSS. 

If anyone has any questions about the NSS, or would like to have more information, please get in touch with Sam Murphy (Student Engagement Manager) s.murphy.4@bham.ac.uk.