UHI Inverness student survey records 95% overall satisfaction rating
THE latest student survey at UHI Inverness has returned an outstanding 95% overall satisfaction rating, continuing a year-on-year increase in satisfaction levels.
The clearest message to emerge from the results of the Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey (SSES) is that staff members are the biggest strength of the student experience at the three UHI Inverness campuses.
Students frequently used words such as supportive, highly knowledgeable, motivating, confidence-building and inspiring to describe teaching staff and professional services staff who provide vital support.
The survey, conducted over a two-week period in March, exceeded its 94% target.
The satisfaction rating increased by 0.5 percentage points compared to last year and by 2% compared to 2023/24. The response rate remained consistent at 53%.
It highlighted many positives including a strong sense of belonging, enjoyment and personal growth and high-quality teaching. Students reported an extremely high satisfaction with staff encouragement and teaching approaches, with responses to several questions in this area exceeding 98% satisfaction.
The results also demonstrated a continued improvement in teaching quality, useful feedback, communication and preparing students for employment.
One student respondent summed up their learning experience by saying:
“I can only say one thing - I am very happy to study at such a wonderful college under the guidance of highly-qualified teachers. In four years, I have never once experienced discomfort or unkindness. Personally, studying is not easy for me, but I always receive words of support and encouragement. I would like to stay longer within the walls of this institution.”
Another said:
“My student experience has been amazing, and I've really enjoyed my time here. Everyone is very nice and friendly. Learning and being in the course has been very fun and I learned a lot.”
A third student said:
“I would highly recommend UHI Inverness to everyone! Fantastic inclusive campus, and the absolute best teaching staff.”
The annual end-of-year student survey is aimed at full-time and part-time students from school programmes to degree courses. Their feedback helps to inform changes across UHI Inverness.
Care-experienced students reported exceptionally high satisfaction and minority ethnic groups also returned very strong satisfaction.
Dr Lindsay Snodgrass, Vice Principal at UHI Inverness, said:
“To achieve an improvement on our previous excellent overall satisfaction scores is a fantastic outcome. We are particularly pleased, though not surprised, that staff quality has been identified by students as the single most positive driver of the student experience. The results show that our students are socially and personally enriched by attending UHI Inverness. They’ve told us they feel valued, listened to, believed in and encouraged, which directly enhances student confidence, engagement and progression. The survey highlights the transformative impact of strong teaching and support, and provides valuable insights that we will analyse and act on. We will also continue to share good practice across the organisation and take further steps to enhance the student experience in response to feedback.”
Highlands and Islands Students' Association Inverness president Chloe Young said:
"As a student at UHI Inverness and a student officer with HISA it’s clear from my experiences here that the staff are what truly make our learning experience the best it can be. From the frontline staff that teach and support students to the teams like Estates and Finance that work behind the scenes, each of them does fantastic work to improve our experience as students, and the stellar SSES satisfaction results this year are proof of that."
Natalie Glasgow, Head of Registry and Quality at UHI Inverness, said:
“We’re grateful to every student who took the time to provide us with the information that will help us continue to enhance their studies. The response rate has remained at a high 53% and we are thankful too to all the staff who supported our students in submitting their surveys. It’s particularly encouraging that students were motivated to participate in this latest survey by the positive actions introduced in response to last year’s survey, demonstrating that we listen to what they tell us.”