The top 20 places where students love to study

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"Are the most popular universities the ones where students really enjoy studying? The Good University Guide's John O’Leary explains....

"This is the last week of university clearing – although many courses will have vacancies up to and beyond the start of term – and more than 100,000 people who applied for places are still without them.

Most will have given up, either because of poor grades or because they wanted a ‘better’ university than the one they were offered. But are the most popular universities (most of whose courses have been full for weeks) necessarily the right choice for everyone? The latest edition of the National Student Survey, suggests that the most satisfied undergraduates are to be found elsewhere.

Since the survey of final-year undergraduates was first published three years ago, there has been a consistent pattern of results. Students generally are very satisfied with their experience of higher education – 82 per cent nationally this year – but the ratings are highest at small or medium-sized universities, rather than at the big city institutions that attract the most applications.

As always, there are exceptions to this rule. The most satisfied students of all were at two further education colleges – City College, Birmingham, and North Warwickshire and Hinckley College – but in general universities came out ahead of the FE sector. The other exception is the Open University, which has been at or near the top of the survey every year. Although the largest university by far with no students on site, it manages to have a more personal relationship with its students than almost any other.

The other top performers nearly all fit the ‘small is beautiful’ stereotype. Even at Oxford and Cambridge, which are among the leading group, student life centres on colleges, rather than the larger university unit. Other leading universities include Buckingham (the smallest of them all), St Andrews, East Anglia and Leicester. Campus universities do particularly well, as they have every year.

Since the 27 questions in the survey are all about students’ courses, it should not matter what the broader experience is like – but it obviously does. It may be that students like their own company and place less store by the nightlife and other attractions of a city than they expect to when they apply. The universities with the best NSS results tend to be those where the institution is the centre of a student’s life, socially as well as academically. So far, that has not altered the pattern of applications, but it may do as the survey becomes better known."

See below for the top 20 universities with the highest percentage of satisfied students.

The National Student Survey list of the top 20 universities where students are satisfied or very satisfied with their courses.

University of Buckingham	96%
Open University	94%
University of St Andrews	93%
University of Cambridge	93%
University of Oxford	92%
University of East Anglia	92%
Birkbeck College, London	92%
University of Leicester	92%
University of Exeter	91%
University of Aberdeen	91%
Loughborough University	91%
Aberystwyth University	90%
Institute of Education, London	90%
University of Kent	90%
University of Sheffield	89%
Aston University	89%
Lancaster University	89%
University of Hull	89%
University of Durham	89%
University of Reading	89%

(This table excludes FE colleges and specialist institutions)

Top Further Education Colleges (Students' views on Higher Education courses)

1. North Warwickshire and Hinkley College

2. City College Birmingham

3. Uxbridge College

4. Grantham College

5. Herefordshire College of Technology

6. Knowsley Community College

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Comments

[j]

Hmmm. Could we please see how many students in each institution responded to the survey, before we give too much credance to the results?

I for one have not forgotten the scandal recently about students being told to complete the survey and say nice things, otherwise their Uni would come way down the tables and their degrees would be worthless as a result.

I'd also like to see it correlated with entry standards.

I am afraid that some young people have a very unhappy and disappointing time at Uni because they are ill prepared, doing a degree of questionable value, with very little individual contact, when their skills and temperament would be better suited to getting out into the big wide world and starting a business.

[Hayvek]

although, i agree with the statement that the NSS is of questionable value. after all, how many students who have completed the questionable have attended more than one university? very few i would imagine, so their opinion would be based on their expectations of that institution, which would be based on the size and reputation of the uni itself. naturally, bigger universities with better reputations will have students with higher expectations.

however, I did my bachelors at Kent and I'm currently doing my Masters at Nottingham. the facilities at Nottingham feel woefully over stretched and its only the second week of lectures. the main library is half the size compared to kent, yet with many more students (admittedly, some subjects have their own library at nottingham). the library shouldn't be packed during the second week of lectures. computer access in the library is also poor, there's little chance of me being able to write the any assignments on a computer next to the resources i need, forcing me to take trips between building to have everything i want. very annoying.

[mara]

AGHHHHHHH !!!!!

[focus gabriel]

i love the university and i would like to apply for the fulltime study in the school am from nigeria

[Jon Newbury]

This is a survey based on expectation and realisation. It's depressing that people question its validity on the assumption that few students respond, are coaxed, or have too low or too high expectations on the institution of their choice. The survey isn't forced upon you by your institution it arrives independently. I was, like all others who felt strongly enough to respond I would wager, groomed by a good three-year experience rather than a push for rankings.

I studied my first degree at Aberystwyth and it usually does well on satisfaction because it's a close-knit and personal environment with good overall facilities and engaging student support. Socially there are lots of friendly pubs rather than noisy distracting clubs and a feeling of carefree quirky closeness to everything. My father studied at St. Andrews and feels the same.

My general feeling is that over-subscription and under-attention leads to frustration with researching and getting support. When you are faceless amongst the burgeoning throng, barely able to scrounge a thirty minute meeting with your tutor, there is little enjoyment to be had. The OU avoids this because of its 'open' nature; the convenience. It's largely about investment in easing study. If you choose a big university in a big city, be prepared to join the faceless masses all clamouring for attention in all aspects of university life.

It depends on your course of choice too. If you are taking on a preparatory degree (like dentistry or journalism) then stick to a university that provides more than ample support for that subject. The degree isn't going to complete itself and you will need extra help or access to special facilities at some point along the way. Overwhelmingly, if you don't match the institution to your course and your personal needs: you are going to be let down.

Oddly enough, I am going to state that for all its shortcomings the general concensus provided by the NSS is one of the best guides prospective students have to go on.

[Ma]

I am currently studying at the University of Aberystwyth and I must say I am so happy there, the people are so friendly and helpful. The facilities are outstanding, and there a lot of computer rooms, where you can have time do your work. Even at night, for those who dont have computers or laptops, some of the computer rooms are open and you just have to go on using your library card!! The library is also very good,big and spacious. There are also very nice restaurants on campus, the accomodation is also very good! There is a sports centre and the Student Union is fantastic! I feel at home in aber, and when ever I leave the place during holidays for example, I always look forward to going back!Aber is the place!!

[abdul]

Which univ is best for doing Communication and networks studies in UK and good job placements , can anyone suggest me

[Sheetal]

which universities are good for pursuing MBA?

[liam]

these leagues are a heap of rubbisha nd subject to statistical variance/manipulation. simply by having an "excellent" bar and cafe, a university can gain extra points and become "2nd best university in the UK"

[Shakir]

I am from Azerbaijan I'am 21 I want to study in England

[Ravinder Singh]

Hi

I am a recent graduate in Mech Eng. and want to do masters in UK.
I am unable to decide which masters should i go for, such that, I wouldn't face job problems after wards.
Please tell me what are job prospects in mechanical engineering after masters.

Aberystwyth University is an absolute disgrace and an untrained chimp could get a degree from some of their departments. To get one from the rest would require a trained chimp. Their resources are pisspoor (massive reliance on the NLW), the majority of their students are mediocre, and the teaching quallity rarely goes above average. Student satisfaction is not an indicator of quality. The interpol and media studies depts are particularly overrated. The town is a foetid and inbred hellhole.

[MP]

Surely student satisfaction is the BEST indictaor, as they're the ones who choiose the uni that will get them somewhere in the world?
Relax babes.

[Sabre]

Aberystwyth University is an absolute disgrace and an untrained chimp could get a degree from some of their departments. To get one from the rest would require a trained chimp. Their resources are pisspoor (massive reliance on the NLW), the majority of their students are mediocre, and the teaching quality rarely goes above average. Student satisfaction is not an indicator of quality. The interpol and media studies depts are particularly overrated. The town is a foetid and inbred hellhole. Subjective student opinion, itself heavily influenced by the university being surveyed(universities place pressure on students for a positive survey), is not, repeat, not an indicator of course quality. For universities, especially one as poor as this, to use 'student satisfaction'(mostly based on how cheap alcohol is, no doubt, and how easy it is to pass off plagiarised essays without being caught) is irresponsible.

[weapon]

Durham University is unable to provide a reliable internet connection particuarly to some of its residential sites.

[weapon]

Durham University is unable to provide a reliable internet connection, particularly to some of its residential sites.

[Viswanath]

Hi,
I am completing my under graduate in Bioinformatics this may .I am planning for a post graduate course.I request to friends in this community to provide me which universities proivde this course and How to determine which university is good to get in to ?? You suggestions are very valuable to my career pls reply bac @ viswachittoory@yahoo.com.. thanks in advance

[Louis]

I'm from France, and I tell you all your Uni sucks!

[sarath]

hiii friends i am planning to do MS in bioinformatics course can any one give me suggestions abt which unversities offering courses in bioinformatics so that i know abt the universities also... thanks in advance.... reply pls....

[daniel]

why? if there are some special reasons ? fee, food, accomodation or city?

[daniel]

Durham University is unable to provide a reliable internet connection, particularly to some of its residential sites.

is that really???
i have just received its offer, now i can't live without internet.

[weapon]

often cuts out, more often is slow.

[Rachael]

Daniel - it's not true. Trust me, I was there when they got the network in the colleges.

The only places that you run the risk of not having internet in your room are University (Castle) and Hatfield, and that's because - shocker - they are listed buildings. All the hill colleges have networked rooms and the vast majority of Bailey colleges do too. Added to that every college has a computer room and there are loads of computer rooms in other parts of the university, particularly the Science Site.

So I respectfully submit that 'Weapon' is quite wrong on this count. I had internet in my room in Van Mildert all four years of my course, thanks.

[weapon]

It's your word against mine, darlin'. Note, stating that something is 'unreliable', is different to saying that it is not present at all. If a connection is negatively affected by, for example, poor weather conditions, or if it is suddenly suspended for up to an hour with no notice or explanation, I would 'respectfully submit' that is unreliable, and that anyone saying otherwise is 'wrong'. Daniel, if you do attend, don't forget your caviar, polo kit, private education, loud braying laugh, miniskirt-tights clothing combination(maybe not) and so on. thanks.

[weapon]

In the interests of fairness though Daniel, I should add that I am really referring in particular to my own college (which I shall not name), at which the internet is most certainly unreliable, although it is available(and I never said otherwise). I haven't noticed any problems anywhere else, and may have exaggerated in my original post. I don't think that you should worry about the internet issue too much, and the university itself is fine.Although full of poshos.

[Helen]

I've just completed the National Student Survey for this year and can fairly confidently say that the survey is interested only in the students' views on their courses. Many final year students end up feeling less than satisfied with their actual course content while really loving the university experience that their university offers. At the end of the day, the choice about university should be based upon looking at which university you would be happiest to spend the next three years of your life at. My uni only scores 89% on the National Student Survey, which can only suggest that a number of students feel dissatisfied with what their COURSE has offered them over the previous 3 or more years. Sheffield actually has one of the highest student retention rates, in that there are enormous numbers of students who choose to remain there after graduation because they have loved the experience that the university and the city has given them. Choice of a university is a highly personal thing and looking at league tables are no substitute for attending an open day and seeing what the place is like for yourself.

[Mr Chan]

No=A student's opinion of their university experience (cheap drink, etc), will affect their survey response, as will uni. pressure. A good result does not mean that the university is desirable to attend. The league tables are far more objective. Would you really trust the advice of British students?

[Weapon]

To comment again; I reckon the best measure is to compare and contrast league table results with student satisfaction results;most of the unis here do well in both. Then do the visiting. I agree with the subjectivity criticism though; I trusted the League tables more, especially the Times one. RAE is good too, as good research results can indicate the quality of the intellects you might be taught by. I should add that my previous comment regarding Durham's internet was made at a time when the net had just gone down while I was downloading an article needed immediately, so my reaction was a little angry. Funnily enough, that happened earlier too, so Daniel disregard entirely my comments about Durham-their internet is fine as helen says. Apologies to helen. Durham is very posh I have found though, which can get tiring.

[Sophie, Aberystwyth]

Christ, Sabre, who spat in your bean curd? The thing with Aberystwyth is there's very little guidance unless you're looking for it, so you get out what you put in. The town may be physically isolated, but I honestly think that living here has been one of the best parts of my university experience to date. Friendly locals, diversity, all kinds of interesting shops and places to eat, miles of coastline, fascinating history... you're just not trying hard enough.

[Sabre]

Its a shame that Aberystwyth University is such an academically mediocre place then. It is also a shame that university PR workers feel the need to pose as students on message boards, in order to attract more victims to the university, and to a town which, surrounding countryside apart, is much like any other town, except that the locals are in fact quite hostile, and where there is an extremely high level of drug use. Not to mention the general run down nature of the whole place, shops closing left, right and centre, a beggar on every street corner, litter everywhere. Every town has history incidentally. What the town and university want you to put in is money, and there will be plenty of guidance in this. Also the university has a very high state school intake. A sure-fire sign of quality, parents!

[opiniononeverything]

Sabre - if you hate it that much, transfer to a different Uni!! Having that much bitterness and resentment can't be doing your education any good...I'm pleased to see my old Uni on here and think the score of 89% is about right - most of the time it's great, but occasionally attending it is a frustrating experience. Furness 'till I die!!

[Sabre]

Actually, I have no bitterness or resentment on the matter, having obtained a reasonable degree, merely an opinion on the state of the university etc. Much like the student survey.

To repeat; I feel that Aberystwyth University does not live up to its student satisfaction rating, with said rating being a decidedly subjective measure of quality. The league tables are far more useful. If other students disagree,for example Sophie, that is their prerogative.

[weapon]

Sorry-apologies to Rach, I mean.

[Gideon]

well it is a good thing that institutions of reputes are been disclosed on the internet so as to enhance proper guidance to intending gradutes.keep on the good job

[Richard]

Sabre - I take it you were turned down by Aber and ended up at Lampeter....

[Patel Nirav]

i want 2 know abt good universites for phama.d..

[Sarah]

Sabre I'm currently studying Biology at Aberystwyth university, I've not seen any run down parts of town, I've not seen a single begger, no litter on the streets apart from the odd food box outside Marco's, I haven't met any hostile locals either, the only hostile people I have met are students, the only shop to close while I have been here is Woolworths, but I've seen quite a few open.

If resources are so 'piss poor' then care to explain why Aberystwyth is the leading university in Biological, geographical, historical and technological research?

Genetic fingerprinting was discovered here by my tutor, farming has changed as a way to use food that doesn't need to be overly high in protein to sheep was discovered, do you eat tomatoes? If so the reason they don't become molder after being picked for two days is down to Aber as well. C3 and C4 pathways were first fully understood here which has increased crop yields around the world.

If the quality of education received is so poor, then why is Aberystwyth known for the hardest first year exams with negative marking, yet extremely high results?

Also the reason Aber has a high intake from state schools, which is infact the same for all universities apart from Durham, Oxford and Cambridge is due to the fact that the majority of schools are state schools, you know what as well, there are far more A grades produced in state schools than public schools.

If Aberystwyth is so poor, then why did I need AAB for my course? Highest rate of students staying on for further education too.

[S.]

And what about Southampton management postgraduate class..Is there anybody can make comment ?especially comments on after graduating ?

[visva]

i am doing my UG in bioinformatics and i am interested in doing my PG in cancer biology or biotechnology friends i request you to guide me regarding the universities which offer these courses

[candice]

Hi,
i am planning on doing my masters in biotechnology with entrepreneurship at the university of Nottingham. i wanted to know how good the university. how good the bioscience department is. Any imputs would be great.
Thank you.

[trevor]

Kent uni the best for everything

[星星百合]

I like Cambridge

[Raam]

Hi
I got an unconditional offer letter from Royal Holloway,University of London for Masters in Business Information System.
I want to know about that university.
Can i accept that offer and go ahead to apply for it???Is that a right choice??

[Harry]

This in response to negative comments about Aberystwyth by 'Sabre'.

I am coming to the end of my first year at Sheffield Hallam University, and I have to admit, I've not enjoyed it at all. The course, I admit, was my fault. I shouldn't have chosen it. But the city was not for me. It's too big, too noisy and I can't get 'me time'. And sure, that's my fault again, it just depends on what you like.
But I found it to be full of the same type of student. They wore the same clothes, drunk the same beer, went to the same clubs, did the same thing and all acted very fakely toward one another.
Some people obviously like that. Not me!
And so, back to Aber.
I've been looking at a course that more suits me, and a location that suits me, and my god, Aberystwyth is perfect.
1- It's not a bit impersonal city.
2- It's got amazing sea views.
3- It's one of the leading geographical centres in the country.
4- It's got character!
5- It's got 7000 students, not 30,000 like Hallam (or 55, 000 for the city as a whole!)
6- It IS clean and safe and 'beggar free'.
7- There are many more pluses!

Your comment about 'most people are from state schools' being taken as a negative goes to show the kind of person you are. A snob.
Do you not realise that the vast majority of people in this country are state educated?
There is nothing wrong with it. I know people who went to my state school who have parents who would earn twice as much as the average private school parent. (Oh, and most my mates got the 2 A's, 3 A's etc which is the supposed reason to join a private school.

And don't shops close in every town and city?
Sheffields 'moor' shopping district is 50% boarded up.
I don't think a few shop closures is a reason to put people off coming to a wonderful corner of Wales, and a wonderful corner of Britain.

[sabre]

Regarding course quality, resources employability et cetera, the guides say otherwise I'm afraid. And the town is full of drug-addicted vagrants and has generally high levels of dealing. As I said, Aberystwyth has many PR people who often check these pages. Couldn't find any info to support assertion that Aber was "the leading university" (i.e. the best, in any subject , but 12th in geog., at least) anywhere. I should have said that most aber students are chavs, although that is close to being a given if you come from a state school of a certain type, which most aber 'students' do. more later, maybe. Good luck Sheffield Hallam.

[nikhil desai]

hello sir,
i have completed my bachelors in computer application(BCA) from university of pune, india. and now i am planning to do my post graduate degree in MBA from london. so, i would like to have your valuble suggestions. which university would be best for me. right now i am suggest "london metropolitan university" for MBA. but i found that it's fees for the same course is too high.
so please suggest me a university with resonable fees for the same course. and also i have no work experience.

[Rebecca]

My goodness Sabre you're horrendous. Saying that most students are chavs, state educated and of a certain type. Just who do you think you are?? You darling, are the "certain type" that give privately educated children a bad name. I went to public school, have a good education, good grades, was a music scholar, in the 1st for lacrosse but absolutely loved my time there. What is it exactly that made you not? A lack of "like minded" people who also still feel sour at the fact that they didn't get into oxbridge or don't ever want to enter the real world and are quite content being a priveleged so and so looking down on those who were state educated from a great height?
You should have gone with an open mind, thrown yourself into your degree and making the most of your three years and if you didn't like it leave. Don't resort to slating a University that quite frankly was never going to live up to your expectations.

[Sabre]

I went to a state college. I didn't apply to Oxbridge, or equivalent level universities. One can approach an educational backwater with either a closed or an open mind, but it remains an educational backwater, the situation is worse still if the backwater uses subjective polls to imply otherwise. Main point; these student surveys are opinion polls which are highly unreliable, and very subjective. Aberystwyth is not a world class university, nor is it even the best in Wales, yet its website continues to imply otherwise using ridiculous results from various polls. Who would you trust; students, or the professionals who compile the guides? And on subjectivity, it seem that my opinion is no less valid than that of those who were polled, indeed the guides would appear to substantiate it. Disregardiong Aberystwyth University, these polls are extremely misleading. I notice that comments are now moderated, and hope that this is posted, since it says nothing offensive.

[Elaine]

i'm looking into doing a PGCE(Primary with French), beginning in September. I have narrowed down my options to Durham, Liverpool Hope, East Anglia, Canterbury Christ Church, and Plymouth. If anyone has any informed opinions, i would be much obliged!

[Pranay Saraff]

Which university is apt for Msc in International Business(Management) amongst EXETER BATH LEEDS....
Pls help me out in solving this puzzle..

[Opi]

Hello there
Is the University of Essex or Sheffield any good?

[Pete jones]

have fun and end up without a job! Except oxbridge ofcourse!

[Peter Corin]

Hi am now an expat and was interested to see the 2010 Best Uni Guide. I was shocked to see the comments posted by Sabre I don't know what they're talking about. Aber was a great place and gave me some of the best memories but I think its one of those places that you love or don't. Oh and I went to a state school, not a chav though, went on to Aber did my degree and masters in Interpol then went on to do law and am now a lawyer working for the New Zealand government, still not a chav! Sabre probably best you went somewhere else. I'd go back to Aber tomorrow.

[Sabre]

That a defender states that they liked Aberystwyth 'university' no more proves that it is in fact a good university than my dislike proves the opposite. As noted,this is the main problem with this sort of survey; it does not necessarily indicate quality, see numerous comments from others below, and is open to numerous distorting factors, and to abuse from universitites who perform well in them, who use them to create an often false impression of quality. When one turns to the university guides, Aberystwyth 'university' is with some exceptions, notably geography, less upheld in its own high self-regard. Final point; university guide compilers do not have any reason to lie, whereas the students surveyed do(again,see below).

[Viktoriya]

Hi all!! Now I'm studying at London School of Commerce at MBA course. I would like to say that it's great place :) i really like it, guys! Join us :)

[ifan]

hi there.. I got an offer letter from sheffield hallam university for the course of MSc applied physiotherapy for the sept 2009 session. should i accept it? wanted to know how good is the mentioned course there? any inputs are welcome.... please help...

[matt w]

im studying advertising and marketing at leeds met and and very shocked to see its low performance on the guide

[rahul]

hi,
im planning for my masters in uk for product design.can i know some of the best universites to apply for.

[Ankita]

I want to know about the good universities for engineering especially electronics with computers? i have got offers from aston, york, strathclyde and essex. Which is the best option?

[ben]

York, by far the nicest city and probably the best university.

[aki]

hello every 1 ....
ive done my engineering in ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION engineering...im intrested in taking a Ms COURSE in UK but totally baffled by the number of universities and the courses.im seeking a higher degree in VLSI or EMBEDDED SYSTEMS or NETWORKING...which university should i go for...

plz help me out guyz...

my email is id aki9466441741@gmail.com

ur guidance will be highly beneficial..plz help me out guyz....
thanx ..ill be witing for ur replies..