NSS target reached a month early
More Sussex students than ever before have this year completed the National Student Survey (NSS) – and there is still a month until it ends.
The University has this week achieved its 75% target, after an average of 30 responses per day since the annual poll went live for Sussex students on 23 January.
More than 1,850 final-year undergraduates at the University have filled in the 2012 survey so far, already exceeding the highest final total, reached in 2011, of 1,847.
Indeed if just one more Sussex student per day completed the survey between now and 30 April, when it finishes, the University would exceed its highest-ever response rate of 75.5%.
In addition, all 12 schools of study at Sussex (including the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)) have reached their targets of 70%. They will each receive a £1,000 cash award from the University to spend locally on improving the student experience.
The highest departmental response rates so far are in the Centre for Community Engagement (CCE) (100%), Physics and Astronomy (88.89%), and Music (88.46%).
Professor Clare Mackie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), says: "We strongly believe that more students taking part in the NSS leads to more representative feedback, which in turn makes it easier for us to keep doing what we do well and make improvements and investments where needed.
“Some recent examples include the Library refurb, brand-new teaching buildings, and the investments we are making this year to improve IT provision on campus. I think that students have seen these positive developments and know that we are listening to and acting on what they say in the survey.
“I look forward to receiving the results in August.”
Targeted action has taken place over recent years to address issues, such as Library access and assessment feedback, raised by Sussex students in the NSS. The 2011 results placed Sussex in the UK's top 10 for teaching satisfaction, with over 90% of Sussex students happy with the teaching at the University.
The NSS takes just five minutes to complete online at the National Student Survey 2012 website.
More information about the NSS at Sussex.