Birkbeck Achieves Highest Student Satisfaction in Teaching According to 2024 National Student Survey

Our students have rated ‘Teaching on their Course’ as the most positive part of their Birkbeck experience.  87% of final year undergraduate students expressed satisfaction in the teaching theme, after providing feedback in the National Student Survey (NSS).  This result exceeds last year and places the university above the sector average.

The 2024 NSS results showcase improved satisfaction across the majority of themes and questions.  This further reflects the positive student experience at Birkbeck especially for these specific questions:

• 92.0% of students feel that teaching staff are very good/good at explaining things.
• 88.3% of students feel very free/free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs during their studies.
• 86.5% believe teaching staff make the subject engaging.

NSS theme, ‘Learning Opportunities’ also scored above the sector average – with student satisfaction increasing by over three percentage points to 83.9%.

Birkbeck ranked highly against its counterparts across England, in the following subject areas:

• Creative writing- 1^st in Teaching
• Psychology (developmental)- 1^st in Teaching
• Media studies- 1^st in Teaching; 3^rd in Student Voice
• Biosciences- 2^nd in Teaching; and for Learning Resources
• Biomedical sciences- 3^rd in Teaching, and in Learning Resources

The University ranks top in multiple subject areas when compared to counterpart institutions across London:

• Management Studies- 1^st for Academic Support, and for Learning Resources
• Earth sciences- 1^st in Teaching, in Learning Opportunities, and for Assessment and Feedback
• English (studies)- 1^st in Teaching; and for Learning Opportunities
• Psychology (applied)- 1^st for Learning Opportunities, Student Voice, and for Learning Resources
• Social sciences- 1^st in Teaching
• History- 1^st in Assessment and Feedback, 4^th in Teaching
• Mathematics- 2^nd Assessment and Feedback, 3^rd in Teaching
• Economics- 2^nd Learning Opportunities, 3^rd in Teaching

Professor Diane Houston, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience said, “It’s great to see that Birkbeck has increased student satisfaction in six NSS themes, particularly with improved experiences for students in teaching and learning opportunities.  These improvements are a testament to the outstanding contributions of University staff and our active collaboration with our student body.

“We are pleased that more of our students responded to the survey this year, their feedback indicates that we are making a positive impact on their studies at Birkbeck. There are always further improvements that can be made to enhance our students’ experience. We are already working with academic colleagues and our student body to identify the next steps and priorities for the areas highlighted by the student feedback.”