Which UK University Has the Best Student Experience?

A new survey by Times Higher Education has asked more than 12,000 undergraduate students how happy they are at their university. The results reveal a top 10 UK universities that offer their students the best experience in terms of lectures, staff, social life and accommodation.

The University of East Anglia (UEA- pictured above) came out in the coveted top spot, ahead of traditionally more prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge. UEA's vice-chancellor Prof Nigel Norris was not surprised by the results, saying:

"Our commitment to providing a gold-plated student experience is long-standing and ingrained. This latest endorsement has been made possible only by the hard work and creativity of our academics, support staff and, of course, the students themselves who never cease to inspire us."

Though UEA took the overall award, Oxford's students judged it best for quality of staff and lectures, whilst Sheffield has the best students' union and Chester claimed the most improved student experience.

More Important Than Ever

Since the tuition fee increase two years ago, these sort of surveys have taken on more importance than ever before. With students paying up to £9,000 a year to study, they not only want to gain a worthy academic qualification but they want to get the best possible experience at the same time.

THE editor John Gill, who helped run the survey, emphasised this:

"With the government's higher education reforms ramping up levels of competition in the sector, improving the student experience has never been a greater priority for universities."

Below you can see the top 10.

Top 10 Universities for Student Experience

1. University of East Anglia
2. Oxford
=3. Sheffield
=3. Cambridge
5. Loughborough
6. Bath
7. Leeds
8. Dundee
9. York St John
10. Lancaster

What do you think of your university? Do you study at one of the below? Do you agree with the list? Let us know in the comments below.

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