Marjon ranked top university in England for learning community

Released: 16.07.21

Plymouth Marjon University has been rated the number 1 university in England for “learning community” and 2^nd for “student voice”, in the National Student Survey. The survey, which questions final year students, is used to feed into league table data and is the major national measure of student satisfaction. It was answered this year by 332,000 students in 397 UK institutions.

The rating of 1^st in England for learning community reflects ongoing excellent results from previous years, and Marjon’s long-term reputation for being a welcoming and inclusive university. This year Marjon was also ranked 3^rd university in England for learning opportunities, 3^rd for its students’ union, and 4^th for teaching on my course.

Marjon was amongst the top 5 universities in England – around 119 institutions - on 12 out of 27 questions asked, and the best university in the South West for 13 out of 27 questions.

The university scored above benchmark for 26 out of 27 questions, and significantly above the benchmark across 11 questions or question groups. On one question, “I feel part of a community of staff and students”, Plymouth Marjon is top university in England, scoring 16 percentage points higher than benchmark.

Professor Rob Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University said: “These results reflect the focus our team has put on looking after students not only throughout the last year, but long term. We work hard to keep students connected, informed and feeling like they belong here. I am delighted for all of our staff and students that our final year students have ranked us best university community in England. At Marjon, everyone can belong."

Lauren Edwards, President of Marjon Students’ Union, said: “After such a difficult year it's amazing to see all our hard work pay off. We're a small team but we still strive to represent our students as best we can, and it's fantastic to see our students agree. We're extremely proud of the past year, and to be rated as third best university union in England, out of 119 universities, is an incredible achievement.”

Seven courses scored over 90% student satisfaction. Two courses, BEd (Hons) Primary Education, and BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy have each scored over 90% for the last five years. BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science has scored over 90% for the last three years.

The results endorse Marjon’s motto of Small University, Big Heart. Its small class sizes and close-knit campus mean that students enjoy a personalised learning experience, being engaged and challenged by staff and by their peers. Students can benefit from the university’s high quality course facilities, such as the accredited Sport Science labs, and journalist training studios on the campus of the BBC in Plymouth.

Those wishing to join the Marjon learning community in 2021 for either undergraduate or postgraduate study may still apply. Courses remaining open are on the Marjon website.

Notes

1. The National Student Survey is run by the Office for Students and every university in the UK takes part, as do many colleges. There is information here about the survey.
2. The Office for Students rates universities compared to benchmark on its website which can be viewed here: NSS data: provider-level - Office for Students. The benchmark is an estimate of what the Office for Students would typically expect the provider’s results to be, given their mix of students, and is described here: Questions about the NSS data - Office for Students
3. Data used is “Taught data” meaning students taught in core provision, based on the Marjon campus.
4. Universities are ranked based on English universities registered with the Office for Students with the right to use university title, of which there are 119 institutions. The register of providers can be downloaded here. The OfS Register - Office for Students
5. Marjon scored over 90% satisfaction on the following seven courses: BEd (Hons) Primary Education 95% (and over 90% for five years); BEd (Hons) Primary Education (Early Years) 90%; BSc (Hons) Psychology 93%; BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Sciences 91%; BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy 92% (and over 90% for five years); BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science 91% (and over 90% for three years); FdA Learning and Teaching 93%.
6. The 12 individual questions on which Marjon scored in the top five universities in England are:

	England	South West
Staff have made the subject interesting.	4	1
My course has challenged me to achieve my best work.	3	1
My course has provided me with opportunities to bring information and ideas together from different topics.	3	1
My course has provided me with opportunities to apply what I have learnt.	3	1
Marking and assessment has been fair.	2	1
I have received helpful comments on my work.	3	1
I have received sufficient advice and guidance in relation to my course.	3	1
Good advice was available when I needed to make study choices on my course.	2	1
I feel part of a community of staff and students.	1	1
Staff value students’ views and opinions about the course.	4	1
It is clear how students’ feedback on the course has been acted on.	2	1
The students’ union (association or guild) effectively represents students’ academic interests.	3	1

 

The University was also first in the South West for “I have had the right opportunities to work with other students as part of my course”.