Students gave their thumbs-up and ranked University College Birmingham highly in this year’s National Student Survey, with five degrees scoring a perfect 100% satisfaction. 

Overall, the University scored 84% in the 2020 survey of students’ opinions of the quality of their course, with the national average sitting at 82%. 

A particular strength was assessment and feedback, where University College Birmingham scored 91% satisfaction when it came to receiving helpful comments on work, a clear 10 percentage points higher than the average university.

Vice-chancellor and Principal Professor Michael Harkin said: “As a specialist university with an emphasis on providing clear progression routes across college, degree and postgraduate levels, we are thrilled to rank above the national average in the higher education sector.

“And we also ranked higher in terms of overall satisfaction than most other universities in the Midlands – many of which are far bigger in size.

“It’s been a hugely challenging year for students and it’s a credit to our excellent teaching staff, bolstered by the huge investment we have made in providing the very best facilities and learning support services, that we have made such an impact.

“It is a clear sign to prospective students and stakeholders that we are committed to providing a first-rate university experience, whether this is through face-to-face or online course delivery.”   

In relation to specific courses, the five degrees delivered by the University that scored 100% in student satisfaction were BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management, BSc (Hons) Bakery and Patisserie Technology, FdA Childhood Studies and, reflecting the University’s strong provision of sports-related courses and investment in cutting-edge facilities, FdA Sport and Fitness Studies and FdA Sports Management.

Scoring over 90% overall were FdA Aviation and Airport Management, which also has new facilities - including an on-campus mock plane cabin - to benefit students when they return to campus, FdA Events Management, BA (Hons) Hospitality Business Management, BA (Hons) Childhood Studies and FdSc Sports Therapy.

An FdA/FdSc is a two-year foundation degree that can be topped up to a BA or BSc Honours degree by, typically, studying an extra year.  

A total of 311,432 students at 396 universities, colleges and alternative providers completed the 2020 National Student Survey, representing 69% of those eligible to complete the survey.

Students completing this year’s survey were asked 27 questions relating to the teaching on their course, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources, learning community, student voice and students’ union.

Find out more about our degree courses.