Students give strong approval for Psychology courses

The School of Psychology at the University of East London has a strong showing in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), a nationwide poll that captures students’ reflections on their education.  

The School of Psychology’s outstanding performance is a testament to its commitment to providing an exceptional learning experience and robust support for its students in a careers-first environment.

Students get to vote on eight aspects of their experience. The Psychology course achieved remarkable success, ranking first in London for Learning Resources, Wellbeing Support, and the Students’ Union. These top rankings underscore the School's holistic approach to education, prioritising not only academic excellence but also the overall positive experiences of our students.

The Counselling course has distinguished itself as the best in London for both Teaching on My Course and Learning Opportunities. This accolade highlights the course's dedication to delivering high-quality education and valuable learning experiences, ensuring our students are well-prepared for their future careers.

The School of Psychology overall has seen a notable increase in overall positivity, with half of the eight key metrics showing improvements. Key highlights include:

• Teaching on My Course: This metric rose by 3.7 percentage points from last year, reaching an impressive 86.3%.
• Learning Resources: The positivity score soared by 16.2 percentage points to 93.3%, reflecting the high quality and accessibility of our learning materials.
• Assessment and Feedback: Students reported an 8.8 percentage point increase in satisfaction, bringing the approval rate to 88 per cent.
• Learning Opportunities: This metric saw a 6.3 percentage point rise to 88.8%, demonstrating our commitment to providing diverse and enriching educational experiences.

Students’ Union: Our support for students through the Students’ Union also saw a substantial increase in positivity.

Course-Specific Achievements

• Psychology: The approval rate for Teaching on My Course rose by 7.1 percentage points to 91 per cent. Additionally, there was a 6.3 percentage point increase in Learning Opportunities, achieving an 88.8 per cent approval rate.
• Counselling: The Teaching on My Course approval rate rose by 4.6 percentage points to 93 per cent. The course also saw a 9.3 percentage point increase in Learning Opportunities, achieving a 91 per cent approval rate.

The Interim Dean of the School, Dr Sophia Bokhari, said, "We are incredibly proud of the outstanding results our School of Psychology has achieved in this year's National Student Survey. These accomplishments reflect the dedication and hard work of our staff, as well as the commitment of our students to their education. We are especially pleased to see significant improvements across key areas, underscoring our focus on providing a supportive and enriching learning environment. We will continue to build on this success to ensure our students receive the best possible education and support."

UEL as a whole has received groundbreaking results in the NSS, achieving historic milestones and solidifying its position as the student-ready, careers-first university of the future.

Across key areas of provision, the University demonstrates some of the highest levels of positivity against all categories of the NSS.

Highlights include being placed 3rd nationally for Overall Positivity and top in London for Learning Opportunities.

Key highlights:

• Overall Positivity: UEL has soared from 13th to 3rd place nationally out of 139 HEIs, boasting a remarkable surge in overall graduating students’ positivity.
• Teaching on my Course:  Satisfaction has increased with teaching quality rising 20 places to 9th place nationally and contributing to UEL’s top spot in London.
• Learning Opportunities:  Satisfaction with offering learning opportunities has risen ten places to 4th nationally, and ranking first in London, reflecting UEL’s investment in state-of-the-art facilities and resources that are pivotal in supporting student success.
• Assessment and Feedback: UEL has climbed to 7th place nationally, and second against London universities, highlighting our focus on providing constructive feedback to students.

Academic Support: UEL’s academic support services have also received positive ratings, rising five percentage points from last year and propelling the University 40 places higher nationally.

The NSS is an annual survey of nearly 350,000 students across the UK, managed by the Office for Students. The survey is one of the largest of its kind in the world, asking students across the UK about a range of factors, including their academic experience, teaching and assessments, and institutions’ mental wellbeing services. Some 76 per cent of UEL’s students participated in this year’s survey, which is four per cent above the national average.