University of London students are unhappy with the level of feedback they receive during their degrees - according to the National Student Survey.

The National Student Survey charts student satisfaction within higher education institutions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is based on the opinions of over 187, 900 undergraduates.

Despite University of London institutions faring well in terms of overall student satisfaction, one persistent criticism is that students have against their colleges concerns the quality of feedback.

The survey indicated that students at UCL, KCL, LSE, Goldsmiths, Royal Holloway and Queen Mary were not satisfied with the feedback they had received.

The worst offenders were Imperial and St George’s (40% of students satisfied with feedback), and The Royal Veterinary College (under 30% satisfied with feedback)

Another grievance among UL students was that their universities failed to offer them enough support when making study choices. This was a particular criticism of students at LSE and the Courtauld Institute of Art, both of which scored around 55% satisfaction in this area.

Many of the UL colleges involved claim that the survey only highlighted problems which they were already aware of and had begun to rectify.

Professor Janet Hartley, Pro-Director for Teaching and Learning at LSE, said, “In many cases, this work is already underway. For example we are investing an extra £2 million a year in driving up teaching standards through our Teaching Task Force, which has been designed in consultation with students.”

Both UCL and The Royal Veterinary College have, in the last year, employed a member of staff to look into the issue of feedback.

St George’s and The Royal Veterinary College put their poor scores down to the differing structure of their courses to those at other UL colleges. Prof Stephen May - Deputy Principal for Teaching, The Royal Veterinary College, said, ‘we are not unique in this regard; clinical disciplines such as medicine, like all the vet schools, score badly on feedback’.

Some student unions are also involved in pressuring their universities to improve in the areas underlined in the survey.

Pete Ellender, VP Student Media & Engagement KCLSU, told London Student, “KCLSU will continue to lobby and pressure the College to ensure that best practice is rolled out across the entire university. We will also be conducting further research and launching a feedback amnesty campaign to raise awareness amongst students, to ensure they get the best possible teaching and learning experience”.

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feedback, London colleges, National Student Survey, University of London