Two Courier Country universities have passed a new nationwide student experience survey with first-class honours.
Dundee University was recognised as offering the best student experience in Scotland for the sixth year running, according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey.
The university was rated first in the UK for centralised/convenient facilities and cheap shop/bar/amenities, and second for good students’ union.
It scored in the UK top 10 in another five categories: good social life, community atmosphere, extra-curricular activities/societies, high-quality facilities, and sports facilities.
St Andrews University was voted fourth in the UK for high-quality staff and lectures. The Dundee and St Andrews seats of learning were 12th and 16th, respectively, overall in the UK in the survey.
Professor Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee University, said: “We will look to improve our provision for students even further as part of our ambition to be Scotland’s leading university, one which transforms lives locally and globally through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge, and by delivering excellence in teaching and research.”
Iain MacKinnon, president of Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA), said: “We pride ourselves on doing everything we can to give students great facilities in their students’ union and also to support them in every part of the university life.
“Being ranked second in the UK for student union, third for social life, third for extra-curricular activities/societies and an excellent number one for cheap shops, bars and amenities all proves that the work we do is appreciated by the students and we hope to continue doing so well in the future.”
A St Andrews University spokesperson said: “The university consistently ranks among the top multi-faculty universities in the UK, and has for nine years in succession been ranked among the top three in the UK in the NSS.
“It is especially encouraging to see continuing recognition, in today’s THE Student Experience Survey, of our high-quality staff and their dedication to providing the very best education.”
The survey is based on responses from almost 14,700 full-time UK undergraduate students. Students rate their institutions in 21 categories that matter most to them, from the quality of staff and lectures to social life and accommodation.
Bath University was voted as having the best student experience in the UK.