NEWI voted best in Wales for student satisfaction

Students at NEWI are happier than those at other universities in Wales with the level of support they receive while studying, according to a recent survey.

Students at eight higher education institutions across Wales were surveyed in the annual Wales Student Barometer on 16 aspects of student support, ranging from student finance to accommodation, counselling and disability, with NEWI scoring the highest overall rating out of the institutions taking part.* Within this category, over 96 % of students surveyed gave IT support and Student Advisory services at NEWI the highest satisfaction rating. Almost 95 % were also highly satisfied with the Health Centre.

The survey, carried out in Autumn 2007 by independent research firm i-graduate, saw more than 6,000 students studying in Wales complete an online questionnaire about all aspects of their university experience. NEWI also received outstanding feedback from students for the quality of learning it provides, covering aspects such as the library and technology facilities, standards of teaching and assessment methods.

Students’ comments about NEWI that were given as part of the survey included “It is warm, friendly and easy to learn at NEWI” and “My lecturers could not be more supportive or helpful – it is wonderful.”

Professor Michael Scott, Principal and Chief Executive of NEWI, said the results of the Wales Student Barometer were testament to the hard work of everyone at the Institute in ensuring that students are given the best possible foundation to succeed in their studies.

He said: “NEWI prides itself on delivering a high standard of education to students within a caring, supportive environment and this is reflected in the results of the survey.

“To be rated so highly by our own students is a tremendous accolade for the Institute and further evidence that NEWI is one of the best places to study in Wales.”

NEWI also placed first overall in i-graduate’s Student Barometer, an annual study of domestic students across the UK.

Home students at 21 Higher Education institutions in England and Wales answered questions about learning environment, support while studying, efficiency during the application process and how satisfied they were with the helpfulness of staff and procedures when they first arrived at their institution. NEWI scored the highest overall satisfaction rating across all categories.

Every International student at NEWI surveyed by i-graduate gave the Institute a first class rating for the helpfulness of staff in greeting them on arrival.

Prof Scott added: “Such results would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of everyone involved with NEWI to helping students feel welcome, and reassured that we will help them achieve their potential, whatever walk of life or background they are from.”

*Ranking based on mean scores on a survey of over 200 NEWI students.