Student survey ranks UCLan in UKs top three

Tue 17 Feb 2009

Student survey ranks UCLan in UK’s top three

A national student experience survey has ranked the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as one of the UK’s top three modern Universities. 

The Times Higher Education (THE) asked over 12,000 full-time undergraduates from 101 universities to rate their experiences on campus  taking into account a wide range of factors including teaching, facilities and social life.  

In addition, UCLan achieved the following commendations:

* Good personal relationships with teaching staff rated as 4th in the UK
* Centralised / convenient facilities rated as 6th in the UK

The results, published in a comprehensive ranking table, place UCLan in 23rd position overall, up from 37th last year and in the top three of all the UK’s modern universities.

Professor Patrick McGhee, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) said the results confirmed the excellent work being carried out to not only improve the University’s facilities and enhance the teaching experience but also to engender an excellent atmosphere amongst students.

“The University welcomes the results of this survey and we’re also delighted that we have improved upon last year’s strong performance. This poll is particularly influential because students choose the factors important to them in a high-quality university experience.

“It’s fantastic news the UCLan has been rated so highly on the excellence of our academic and support staff, our teaching, sport and library facilities and the first-rate individual relationships our students have with teaching staff.  In addition this independent survey has once again highlighted our Students’ Union, social life, community atmosphere and safe environment as being key strengths of UCLan.”

Within the Northwest, the University took the top spot for the following eight measures:

* Helpful / interested staff
* High-quality facilities
* Personal requirements catered for
* Good students’ union
* Good support / welfare
* Good personal relationship with teaching staff
* Centralised / convenient facilities
* Fair workload

UCLan also scored highly for its library and opening hours, ranked 11th in the UK, and the number of current students that would recommend the University to a friend.

Meanwhile the University’s growing popularity has been confirmed in the latest figures from UCAS which show an eleven percent increase in the number of full-time students accepted on to UCLan’s undergraduate courses for 2008.

Professor McGhee explained that UCLan would continue to cater for growing student demand: “Over the next 12 months the University will commit a further £1.5 million investment into new teaching equipment, innovative international travel bursaries and special postgraduate scholarships for first class students. Our graduate employability rate is amongst the best in the UK so overall we believe we are offering an outstanding educational experience which represents excellent value for money.”

Find out more about our foundation courses at UCLan, offering guaranteed progression to a wide range of UCLan degrees at undergratuate and postgraduate level.