The annual National Student Survey (NSS) results have been released and the University Centre Wigan & Leigh College students have rated teaching highly.

Our University Centre has seen an improved engagement in student responses with 86% of learners who are in their final year of studying HNDs and Foundation Degrees completing the survey. This compares to a national rating of 71.5%.

The highest positivity ratings from the survey came in the ‘teaching on my course’ category.

The response saw an impressive 95% giving a positive rating for ‘how teaching staff are good at explaining’, while 89% of the learners also positively responded to ‘teaching staff, who made the subject engaging’.

We have had positivity ratings above the sector average in every category, from teaching; learning opportunities; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; student voice and mental wellbeing services.

Head of Higher Education, Ursula Hoyles said:

“Securing another year of positive ratings has undoubtedly been as a result of the investment made in resources, student support and a commitment to high quality, face to face teaching.”

A change in methodology this year saw two new questions added to allow students to reflect on mental health and freedom of speech.

89% of students gave a positivity score for the question, ‘How well communicated was information about your university/college’s mental wellbeing support services?’ This is above the sector average of 75%.

90% of students also gave a positivity score for the question, ‘During your studies, how well did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, beliefs?’

Feedback has shown that students undertaking HNC, HND and degree programmes at the college really appreciate the smaller class sizes, access to tutors and one to one guidance.

This was further evidenced in the survey results that 93% of higher education learners felt teaching staff supported learning, compared to 84% from the sector average.