Harper Adams scores 93 per cent for overall satisfaction in 2017 NSS

Posted 9 August 2017

Harper Adams University has been placed in the top six higher education institutions in the UK in the 2017 National Student Survey results announced today, achieving an overall satisfaction rate of 93 per cent. The survey outcome reinforces the University’s position as the leading higher education institution specialising in agri-food and other land-based subjects.

Harper Adams is also the highest performing higher education institution in the Midlands region.

The National Student Survey aims to gather the opinions of all students in the final six months of university degree courses, throughout the country.

Survey questions where Harper Adams excelled included: “I have had the right opportunities to work with other students as part of my course”, with 94 per cent agreeing; “I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies”, where 95 per cent agreed; and “Staff are good at explaining things”, with 96 per cent agreeing.

Students commented positively on their experience at the University, with examples such as: “Wonderful campus. Friendly students and lecturers. I like that lecturers know students' names and interact with each of us. Teaching is of a high quality. Overall a fabulous student experience including very good social activities.”

Another said: “Staff are friendly and will give you support if you ask for it. Staff members make the lectures interesting and field trips give context to the lectures, which helps with learning. The placement year was the best thing about the university experience for me as I felt it has given me really valuable experience and employment skills, which will help with future jobs. It also gave context to the course.”

At course level, scores remain high for overall satisfaction. Scoring 100 per cent were the honours veterinary nursing degrees, foundation veterinary nursing degrees and foundation agri-food and business degrees. They were followed by the foundation agriculture (96 per cent); degree agriculture (95 per cent), and degree agri-food and business programmes (94 per cent).

Commenting on the 2017 NSS outcome Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn, said: “This is another great set of results for Harper Adams, placing us amongst the leading universities in the UK in the National Student Survey this year and improving on our performance in 2016.

"We are delighted that our final year students have given us such a resoundingly positive message which reflects well on the hard work of our staff and our Students’ Union, who do so much to support our student community.”