Imperial focuses on student experience, as NSS results are revealed

Student satisfaction at Imperial is now at 82%, according to the most recent National Student Survey (NSS).

The results show that overall satisfaction levels are unchanged compared to last year’s survey.

Imperial's Vice-Provost (Education) Professor Simone Buitendijk said: "Our students have expressed good levels of satisfaction with their experience at the College, but we are ambitious to provide them the very best experience and we know there is more work to do.

“We are making sustained investment in improving facilities and transforming our teaching. This academic year we set up a group with representation from across our College community to focus on analysing the NSS feedback, particularly to identify areas which would benefit from whole-College, collaborative actions. The group has provided invaluable insight to make sure we are directing our attention and resources where we can have the most impact on the student experience. Working in partnership with students, we want to focus on building a sense of community and belonging, improving our facilities, and supporting and promoting student wellbeing. This complements our goal of ensuring a world-class experience for our students in teaching, learning and assessment.

“It will take time for the full benefits to be felt throughout all departments, campuses and student year groups, but with continued momentum we know we can achieve lasting change.”

A collaborative approach

A series of consultations over the past year have uncovered that students are proud to study at the College but would like there to be greater focus on improving their day-to-day experience. Of particular interest to students was the potential for staff-student partnerships, parity of experience, and ensuring a positive student experience is a fundamental part of the College’s core mission.

The College is also taking forward a number of improvements mapped against four themes that were frequently mentioned by students:

• Culture: Departments are taking the lead in offering more staff-student social events. The College has also created a number of projects that will make studying and research more collaborative, for example the StudentShapers programe and the upcoming launch of I-Explore modules.
• Wellbeing: Ensuring Departments and Student Support Services work collaboratively to support students during their time at Imperial.
• Learning and teaching: All 106 undergraduate programmes have undergone a review of their curricula. This means that students can expect a greater focus on a learning experience that will prepare them for the world of work and the global challenges of the future. Lab exercises have been restructured, digital technologies will be used more often, and there will be greater opportunities to collaborate, for example collaborating in multidisciplinary projects. In addition, the College has also committed to ensuring that timetables are developed in a more collaborative way between Departments. 
• Space: In the past year the College has completed or begun renovation works on over 100 learning and teaching spaces, including two lecture theatres. The first wave of improvements were completed in the 2018/19 academic year, and attracted positive feedback from teachers and students alike. The remaining spaces are due to reopen in time for the beginning of the 2019/20 academic year.