National Student Survey reveals the strengths of Health Sciences at York

Posted on 16 August 2023

The results of a nationwide survey have revealed that the Department of Health Sciences is home to some of the happiest nursing and midwifery students in the UK.

2nd in the Russell Group for ‘Learning resources’ in National Student Survey

We placed 2nd for ‘Learning resources’ among the Russell Group universities included for adult nursing in the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS), with a score of 95%. We received 94 per cent for Q19 How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning? , 97 per cent for Q20 How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning? and 94 per cent for Q21 How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

We also ranked highly within the Russell Group in the following areas:

1st for ‘Teaching on my course’ in mental health nursing

Including:

Q1 How good are teaching staff at explaining things? 89 per cent
Q2 How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging? 89 per cent
Q3. How often is the course intellectually stimulating? 89 per cent

2nd for ‘Learning resources’ in midwifery

Including:

Q19 How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning? 87 per cent
Q20. How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning? 92 per cent
Q21 How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them? 88 per cent

Professor Kate Flemming, the Head of Department, said “I am delighted with these results. Staff throughout the department continually work hard to improve the student experience and liaise closely with our student representatives to support our midwifery and nursing students to become highly valued practitioners who make a real difference to people's lives.”

What is the National Student Survey

The NSS is a nationwide survey of final-year students in higher and further education. They answer questions on a variety of aspects of their university experience, including their department and course.

Over 339,000 took part in the 2023 survey, helping prospective students to compare courses and make informed decisions about where to study. The survey empowers those taking part to shape the future of their course, giving universities honest feedback on what they are doing well and where they can improve.

York's overall position

York performed strongly in this year’s National Student Survey, featuring in the top 10 for multiple categories among Russell Group universities.

The University as a whole placed 4th in the Russell Group for Learning Resources, 5th for Academic Support and 6th for Organisation and Management.

Thirteen subjects featured in the top three in the Russell Group for Academic Support, while a further 12 were placed in the top three for Teaching On My Course. Read more about York’s excellent NSS results.