NSS 2023 results: USW rated top in Wales in some subject areas

The University of South Wales (USW) has been rated top in Wales for overall satisfaction for Childhood and Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Computer Games and Animation, Drama, Journalism, and Medical Sciences, according to the latest National Student Survey (NSS) results.

The 2023 results, which were released on Thursday 10 August, also saw USW rated ahead of sector for teaching, assessment, learning opportunities, and academic support.

The survey results found that USW was well above sector for its student voice provision, with students reporting that they were given opportunities to provide feedback on their courses, and that when they did, their opinions were valued and subsequently acted on.

The University also rose to 5th in Wales for overall student satisfaction.

At a UK level, several subject areas had a top five performance in one or more of the survey themes: Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science, Building, Computer science, Health Studies, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Journalism, Medical Sciences, Midwifery, others in Computing, others in Veterinary Sciences, Psychology, and Teacher Training.

Professor Donna Whitehead, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at USW, said: “These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues from across the University. As part of our USW 2030 Strategy, we are working to provide our students with an inclusive, accessible, and digitally supported active learning environment, and these results reflect that we are well on our way to achieving this.”

The NSS is an annual survey which is sent to all final year undergraduate students. The survey gathers students’ opinions on the quality of their courses, and the results help to inform prospective students’ choices, provide data that supports universities and colleges to improve the student experience, and support public accountability. The NSS is managed by the Office for Students (OfS) on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland), and the Scottish Funding Council.