First Class!

For the third year in a row the Geology Department at Leicester was rated by our students as the best of the UK's departments offering full-time geology degrees. In answer to the question "Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course" 97% of our students indicated that they were, but this is only part of the picture...

There are actually 22 questions in the National Student Survey, and a better overall test of true satisfaction is to look at the responses to all those questions (which cover such things as satisfaction with teaching, assessment, academic support, resources, and personal development)
The plot below shows the mean % scores for the 22 questions* in the 2009 NSS survey for all Earth Science departments in the UK. Overall, Geology at Leicester achieved a higher level of overall satisfaction (92%) than any other department.

National Student Survey 2009

The National Student Survey (NSS), was introduced in 2005 and gathers feedback on the quality of students' courses and provides potential applicants to higher education with appropriate information. It is the first time that degrees have been ranked based on unbiased student opinions of their teaching and learning experience.

Students were asked to answer questions related to teaching quality, assessment and feedback, academic support, learning resources, personal development and their overall satisfaction with the course.

*The 22 NSS questions are:
Staff are good at explaining things.
Staff have made the subject interesting.
Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching.
The course is intellectually stimulating.
The criteria used in marking have been clear in advance.
Assessment arrangements and marking have been fair.
Feedback on my work has been prompt.
I have received detailed comments on my work.
Feedback on my work has helped me clarify things I did not understand.
I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies.
I have been able to contact staff when I needed to.
Good advice was available when I needed to make study choices.
The timetable works efficiently as far as my activities are concerned.
Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively.
The course is well organised and is running smoothly.
The library resources and services are good enough for my needs.
I have been able to access general IT resources when I needed to.
I have been able to access specialised equipment, facilities or rooms when I needed to.
The course has helped me present myself with confidence.
My communication skills have improved.
As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems.
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.