Internal use only Hertfordshire Students’ Union National Student Survey 2016 School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics After a modestly successful year in 2015, where the School saw improvements in nearly all areas, PAM will be disappointed to see that no individual areas have improved in the 2016 NSS. The only area to have seen improvement is the School’s overall satisfaction, which has risen by 1% to be the University’s second most satisfied school overall. The School remains at or above the sector mean in all but two areas, and is now the highest or joint-highest scoring school in three areas: Teaching and Learning, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support. The two areas below the sector mean are Learning Resources, which dropped 5%, and Personal Development, which dropped 6%. Personal Development is an area of particular concern, as this is the second year in a row that is has decreased and now sits at 12% below the sector mean and University overall. The Students’ Union will also be disappointed to see a decrease of 7% in the School.
Teaching
Assessment
Support
Organisation
Resources
Development
Overall
SU
School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematic s
89% (0%)
79% (0%)
86% (0%)
83% (-2%)
86% (-5%)
71% (-6%)
90% (1%)
72% (-7%)
UH
85% (-1%)
70% (1%)
80% (-1%)
73% (1%)
88% (-2%)
83% (-2%)
82% (-2%)
74% (0%)
Sector (all HEIs)
87% (0%)
73% (0%)
82% (0%)
79% (0%)
87% (0%)
83% (0%)
86% (0%)
69% (-1%)
Positive and Negative Themes (Open Comments) In line with their positive Teaching and Learning score, positive comments surrounding PAM discussed helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable lecturers. Other positive comments related to good online learning materials, wellstructured modules and great opportunities through placements and study abroad.
At or above the sector mean Within 5% of the sector mean Over 5% below the sector mean
Negative comments surrounded timetabling, with different rooms being used across the semester. In Mathematics, comments lamented a lack of books, while in Physics and Astronomy students asked for a better balance between coursework and exams.