Tuesday 18-08-2015 - 16:09

At the end of the last academic year, as final year students at Winchester were turning in dissertations, practicing for their final performances and attending their last few months of lectures, they were encouraged to fill out the National Student Survey (NSS). Alongside asking students to give their opinion on a range of areas related to the University, such as the feedback given on their work and the provision of IT resources, there is also a designated question relating to students’ satisfaction with their student union.

This week the results were announced and very excitingly, Winchester Student Union had 83% of respondents being satisfied or very satisfied with the range and quality of services, activities, support and representation that we offer to all of our members.

So for fact-lovers amongst you, this NSS result means that …

• 3% more students are satisfied or very satisfied with Winchester SU than the year before
• we are ranked 7^th of student unions in England
• we are the top ranked Cathedrals Group student union
• we are the top ranked GuildHE student union
• we are in the top 10% of all student unions in UK
• we are really proud that students think so highly of their student union!

This NSS news comes alongside a brilliant ranking for the University of Winchester, being ranked 4^th in England for overall satisfaction!

These NSS results are exciting for a couple reasons. Due to the information that we receive about respondents to the NSS, it allows us as a Student Union to be responsive and reactive to different students’ needs, by filtering responses by factors like course, or mode of study, in order to continue to best represent, serve, and cultivate opportunities for our diverse student body.  

Additionally, and very importantly, it’s thrilling to see the engagement of students with Winchester Student Union, as well as the hard work of the officers and staff being recognised so positively on a national scale. It’s wonderful that both in regard to the University and the Student Union, Winchester ‘boxes above its weight’, according to those that matter most – the students of Winchester.

Onwards and upwards!