In this year’s National Student Survey (NSS) Royal Holloway, University of London has retained its position as number one for student satisfaction among the non-specialist University of London institutions, such as Queen Mary, and the larger London-based universities, including Imperial College.

A leading light in teaching and support

This latest independent survey of third-year undergraduate students also saw Royal Holloway stand out in the national ratings. An overall satisfaction score of 88% places Royal Holloway 25 out of 145 institutions rated in the NSS.

Students highlighted in particular Royal Holloway’s high-quality teaching, outstanding levels of academic support and learning opportunities. On all three measures, the university outperformed the average Russell Group satisfaction score.

Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway commented, “Our community of engaged students and inspiring academics makes Royal Holloway a very special environment in which to learn and grow. With superior teaching and highly rated academic support enabling individuals to succeed across a wide range of subjects, our students consistently rate their experience at Royal Holloway as above average. I am delighted that, once again, we are a leader in London for overall student satisfaction."

Investment continues to reward students

Royal Holloway is a historic campus, and one which is constantly evolving to meet modern needs.  This academic year the university will open a new library and student services centre, new residences and a new science building.

“We listen carefully to what students tell us they need to succeed. In response we are about to open our state-of-the-art Emily Wilding Davison Building, a stunning construction that meets the needs of students now, and in the future.  We look forward to Royal Holloway students benefiting from this ambitious build, which will be a hub of learning and support for our whole community,” added Professor Layzell.

The George Eliot Hall of residence, which welcomes its first residents this September, provides top-quality accommodation for over 600 students, in a community complex of 56 townhouses. It, like the Emily Wilding Davison Building, has been named after alumna of the university. Both names were chosen by current students, staff, alumni and prospective students.

The new science building, due to open in the summer term of 2018 will house superior laboratory and teaching spaces, and will be home to the new Department of Electronic Engineering.

Wide range of subjects soar in satisfaction

The NSS provides students with the opportunity to rate their individual subjects. At Royal Holloway a variety of undergraduate courses have achieved satisfaction ratings of over 90%, reflecting the high quality teaching, learning resources and support enjoyed by students across its community.

• Mathematics scored the highest overall satisfaction this year with 98%, up 8% on last year, ranking them fourth overall in the UK. 
• Physics saw student satisfaction soar to 95%, with an eight point increase on 2016.
• Satisfaction with Earth Sciences rose to 97%, again improving on last year, and ranking them third in the UK.
• History also performed highly, with student satisfaction up 3 points to 95%, putting them in the top 20 history departments in the UK.

Royal Holloway saw a range of subjects in the UK top 20, including:

• Earth Science (3rd in UK) with 97% overall satisfaction
• Classics (3rd) with 95%
• Mathematics (4th) with 98%
• Geography (8th) with 95%
• Physics (11th) with 95%
• Biological Sciences (15th) with 93%
• History (16th) with 95%
• Economics (17th) with 90%
• Computer Science (19th) with 88%

Find out more about student life at Royal Holloway and opportunities through clearing.