UEA drops in student satisfaction survey

UEA has lost its claim as the top university in the country for student satisfaction, dropping to third place in this year’s survey.

Last year saw UEA claim first place in the Times Higher Education Student Experience survey, beating Oxford and Cambridge.

But the ninth annual student satisfaction survey, published today, sees us drop into third place, beaten by Sheffield and Bath.

Pro-vice-chancellor Professor Neil Ward said: “Ranking so highly in this well-respected survey is testament to the experience UEA and the Union of UEA Students collectively offers our students.

“We are committed to providing a top-class student experience and this has been rewarded by a consistent top 10 ranking in the Times Higher Education Student Experience survey as well as in the National Student survey.

“We will strive to continue to further improve the experience we offer students across all areas of their student life.”

The news comes as a disappointment following the release of the Complete University Guide’s league table, which saw us rank an impressive 15th place.

This year’s survey questioned over 14,000 full-time undergraduates about 22 measures, including quality of staff, social life, facilities, support, accommodation and workload. 168 UEA students took part as opposed to 119 last year.

UEA’s scores fell in 14 of the 22 measures, with satisfaction with library facilities the only area to improve. Its lowest score was in the “good industry connections” category, where it came 43rd place, falling 10 places from last year.

Professor Neil Ward said of this: “We will do our best to make sure all of UEA’s students are aware of our strong commercial connections as part of the world-leading Norwich Research Park and with our thriving graduate programmes and internships with local and national companies, and through our new Enterprise Centre which will open during our next academic year.”

The outcome was expected by many following changes to the running of the university this academic year including the banning of the burger van, changes to the smoking area and the banning of non-students from the LCR.

Changes earlier this year caused outrage among students

However, the Tab understands that the student union itself has remained in the same position, as Jim Dickinson, Chief Executive of the Union of UEA students, told us: “The Union itself has maintained its 6.0 score and has come joint 7th in SUs around the UK, which is the same as last year.”

Connor Rand, incoming Undergraduate Education Officer, said: “Obviously it’s disappointing to lose the top spot but our high position shows just how satisfied UEA students are. The Union itself maintained its high score and I know all incoming Officers are determined to better it next year, to help us regain first place!”

Finance Officer Joe Levell added: “Despite the sad drop for UEA from first overall in the survey, it’s still better than over 100 other universities – and we’re thrilled that we’ve maintained our high scores and position for the student union part of the survey.

“With a new student media centre, revamped student opportunities programme, £6m building refurbishment and better ents and bars all coming soon, there’s no reason why we can’t reach our aim to be the best student union in the UK.”

What do you think of the news? Did UEA deserve to drop to third place?