Harper Adams makes impressive debut in student experience survey

Posted 17 March 2016

Harper Adams University this week makes an impressive debut in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey – achieving top scores across five criteria. 

The university is rated first for good industry connections, and joint first for good welfare/support, personal requirements being catered for, good community atmosphere, and “I would recommend my university to a friend”. 

Overall, Harper Adams is ranked second out of all UK universities for student experience. Other categories where Harper Adams scored well include well-structured courses (joint second), environment on campus (joint third) and tuition in small groups (third). 

The full results of the survey and additional material are published in a dedicated Times Higher Education supplement today. (Thursday, March 17). 

The placement year undertaken by every student and industry support in curriculum development are major factors in Harper Adams University’s success as the leading UK institution for industry connections. 

“The relationship we have sought is one where we remain able to challenge industry thinking about the type of graduates companies think they need, whilst ensuring that we listen to industry where it has a useful contribution to make to our course design, content and outcomes,” explains Andrew Jones, Director of Teaching and Learning.

“Every course validation will include at least one industry professional as a full review panel member and each curriculum area has a Professional Advisor, in addition to academic external examiners, to provide feedback on the relevance of the curriculum to advanced professional practice. 

He added: “This ongoing dialogue means that we can work with a wide range of employers but remain critical of their practice when required…Importantly, we also listen to our students who tell us that they value their exposure to industry views and are adamant that their placement year makes a vital contribution to their course and to their graduate prospects.”

Supporting the survey results, first year student Leonie Morphett said: “As a career-changing mature student, picking the right university with good course content, employment rates and track record was vital. Harper Adams has already excelled in providing a professional and engaging learning environment, with enthusiastic lecturers actively involved in the industry in which they teach.”

Tom Vines added: “For me, studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University opens up opportunities that you would find hard to experience if you were just working within the sector. The people you meet and build life-long relationships with, and the material you are able to learn, opens you up to a whole different world where any door is open to you."

This year’s Student Experience Survey was based on responses from more than 15,000 full-time undergraduate students across the UK – the survey’s largest response to date.

Students rate their institutions in 21 categories that matter most to them, from the quality of staff and lectures to social life, accommodation and facilities.

The survey provides an alternative picture of student satisfaction to the National Student Survey.