51Âþ»­

The number of students satisfied at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) is rising five times faster than the national average, according to a national survey. 

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic over the past couple of years, overall student satisfaction rose by nearly 5% to 69.82% in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) results, published today. 

This compared to an average increase of scores across the whole UK higher education sector of 0.88%. 

The university saw its scores rise faster than the national average in every area of the survey. In particular, students made it clear they felt positive about the learning resources at 51Âþ»­, with the survey showing a sharp rise from 66.67% to 80.67% satisfaction in that category. 

The news comes only weeks after 51Âþ»­ was ranked 14th in the ‘University of the Year’ category at this year’s WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) which, unlike other national university league tables and accolades, are nominated and judged entirely by students.   

51Âþ»­’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Katie Normington, said the result showed students were responding well to a new approach at 51Âþ»­. 

She said: “These are really positive results because ultimately, what we want to do here at 51Âþ»­, is empower students. We want to give them the support and community they need to succeed in what they want to do. 

“A rise in satisfaction like this is a clear indicator that we are succeeding in this and that’s exciting because, with our new strategy in place, and with a new, much simpler and more streamlined approach to teaching starting this September, called Education 2030, we can now look to build on this and improve the experience for students.” 

Carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Office for Students, the NSS sees students fill in a questionnaire universities nationwide. 

Nationally, the average student satisfaction score has fallen in recent years, triggered by the challenges posed by the pandemic across the sector.  

But Professor Normington said that 51Âþ»­’s improving score this year showed students’ enthusiasm for university was as strong as ever. 

She said: “While the pandemic was undeniably challenging, for students and for universities, we saw a tremendous amount of generous spirit, creativity and community here at 51Âþ»­, from staff and students. 

“I think the changes we instigated in response to the evolving national guidelines have actually left us with a more flexible, personal and empowering student experience, now we are able to teach in person again.” 

This most recent result follows a succession of positive results for 51Âþ»­. Earlier this year, the university was ranked 30th in the world and 15th in the UK for its focus on responsible consumption and production at the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022. 

The number of 51Âþ»­ graduates getting quality jobs is also on the rise, with the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey showing 70% of graduates getting highly skilled employment after leaving 51Âþ»­, pushing the university 26 places up the national table for that result.  

And for the second year in a row, 51Âþ»­ ranked in the top 10 British universities with the most student and graduate start-ups. In total, 140 new businesses were launched by 51Âþ»­ students and graduates in the 2020/21 academic year and university staff supported a total of 339 such start-ups.