The National Student Survey is here and it’s time to have your say.
Last year the University finished joint top in Greater Manchester for overall student satisfaction. This year we want to build on that success.
The opening of Bolton One, the new £31 million addition to the University’s campus, is just one of many ways the University is improving your student experience. It will provide students with state-of-the-art learning, research, health and leisure facilities, including FREE swimming.
But, as well as our successes, the NSS is your chance to comment on what could be improved at the University. The University can only progress in the future by listening to students now.
And that’s what we did after last year’s survey…
Some of the major areas highlighted for improvements were the library, 365 Room, a lack of alternative computing facilities and printing problems.
We listened to your advice and this is what we’ve done so far:
• Added additional computers to the 365 Room.
• Improved the heating and security in the 365 Room
• Installed new heating within the SLZ and the silent study room in the library
• Replaced all computer chairs in the library and 365 with adjustable operator chairs
• Cut the of cost of printing by 20 per cent
And we’re not stopping there; we’re currently in the process of:
• Creating a Tech Zone in the SLZ with a further 35 computers, both PCs and Macs.
• Installing 60 new Samsung self-service laptops in the SLZ area for students’ use
• Introducing a "find a vacant computer" service in the library for students
• Investing a further £10,000 in the Law library stock
Boosting employability was another key issue raised by our students, a concern the University takes very seriously.
Thanks to students’ suggestions and feedback, in 2011 the Careers Service introduced more events and schemes to ensure our graduates are fully prepared for the professional world.
These included a careers fair, a volunteering fair, a graduate summer school, a career mentoring scheme and a career management module, which is now part of students’ learning.
And in 2012 the Careers Service is introducing the Graduate Accelerator Programme. This new four-day scheme, worked in partnership with Gradcore|, an external organisation, will look at commercial awareness, real-life business experience, assessment centre simulation and support with job searches.
These are just some ways your advice, suggestions and feedback have helped the University and students. So, if selected, take part in this year’s NSS and have your say. We will listen.