NSS 2023: LJMU delivering an excellent student experience

LJMU is delivering an excellent student experience, according to impressive results in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023.

The Office for Students (OfS) has published the survey findings, which paint an extremely positive picture of the LJMU student experience, while helping us to identify some areas for improvement.

The 27-question survey was open between January and April this year, with a response rate from our final year undergraduates of 74%: that is 1% higher than last year and 3% above the response rate across the sector.

The OfS introduced a new methodology for NSS 2023, with direct questions rated on a four-point scale; the measure of ‘overall satisfaction’ was also removed this year.

Above the national benchmark

In an excellent set of results, the university scored above the OfS benchmark in an exceptional 26 out of 27 questions.

OfS analysis indicated that LJMU is significantly above our benchmark group for the following:

• How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
• How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
• How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
• How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
• How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
• How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
• To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
• How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

Professor Phil Vickerman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, said: “The results of NSS 2023 are very positive indeed and show that we are delivering an excellent student experience at LJMU.

“We will now analyse the data in more detail both at institutional level and within programme teams across the university to fully understand what students think we are doing well and where we need to improve. On the back of that, we will recognise outstanding practice across LJMU and ensure we have measures in place to further enhance teaching, learning and the overall student experience. We will share more information with staff over the coming weeks.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do at LJMU; thank you to all staff for the great dedication you show every day in supporting our students and making sure their university experience is a positive one.”

You can read more about the responses to the students’ union questions on the JMSU website.