The Director’s View

NSS Results 2015

The National Student Survey (NSS 2015) results have been published today. They are probably the single most important measure of Student satisfaction that UK universities now study.

There are 23 questions which make up the top level of enquiry which the survey poses. The questions are divided (as the clickable graphic shows) into 8 categories. The important section for the Library is LR – Learning Resources. The Library question is Question 16 – The library resources and services are good enough for my needs? In 2015, 88% of those responding from UCL (3rd year undergraduates) said that the Library’s services and facilities met their needs, the same score as in 2014. This is a fantastic result, when student numbers increase year on year. It is a tribute to the devoted work that all colleagues put in to support the Library and our users. Overall, the Library’s score of 88% was the highest individual score in all the 23 top level questions which form the NSS. Of course, we want to do better next year and move into the 90s…

Overall, the NSS results for UCL show that there is no room for complacency. UCL’s Overall Satisfaction score was 83%, 3% down on 2014. The sector average (i.e. all universities) was 86%, the same as 2014. UCL’s overall score puts it in =111th place in the national league table of 2015 NSS scores, published today in the Times Higher here. So there is room for considerable improvement, and UCL will be looking for major developments in the next 12 months.

For a warm commendation of the Library’s work from Professor Anthony Smith (Vice-Provost, Education and Student Affairs), which highlights the importance of the cutting edge digital learning spaces in the Cruciform Hub which we have introduced, look here.

Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the Library’s score in the 2015 NSS results, in challenging times.

Paul Ayris

Director of Library Services