Statement on the National Student Survey

12 September 2007

In response to the National Student Survey, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of The Russell Group, said: "The Russell Group of Universities welcomes the third National Student Survey that shows a further increase in the overall satisfaction rate across The Russell Group at 85% - above the sector average (81%). The Russell Group is pleased to see that such a high rate of student satisfaction continues within its institutions and is pleased to be able to include results from the University of Oxford for the first time with an overall satisfaction rate of 92%. ??

The Russell Group welcomes the NSS as a useful tool to help our universities continue the process of improving the quality of education they offer.  We believe that it is crucially important that students have a real voice in their education and we will continue to explore ways of trying to ensure that the university experience is personalised and tailored to the needs of all students."

Notes:

1. The purpose of The Russell Group is to provide thought leadership and strategic direction for the 20 major research-intensive universities of the UK; we aim to ensure that policy development in a wide range of issues relating to higher education is underpinned by a robust evidence base and a commitment to civic responsibility, improving life chances, raising aspirations and contributing to economic prosperity and innovation.

2. Formed in 1994 at a meeting convened in the Hotel Russell, London, the Group is composed of the Vice-Chancellors/Principals of the Universities listed opposite. In 2004/5, Russell Group Universities accounted for 65% (over £1.8 billion) of UK Universities' research grant and contract income, 56% of all doctorates awarded in the United Kingdom, and over 30% of all students studying in the United Kingdom from outside the EU. In the 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise, 78% of the staff in Grade 5* departments and 57% of the staff in Grade 5 departments were located in Russell Group Universities, and in 2004/5 Russell Group Universities were allocated approximately 64% of the total quality-related research funding (QR) allocated by the Funding Councils.