<p dir="ltr">Named <strong>University of the Year for South West England</strong> by students at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) 2024, Arts University Plymouth has gone from strength to strength since being awarded University Title in 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr">Overall, <strong>Arts University Plymouth was </strong><strong>the</strong> <strong>top-ranking arts university in the UK for 20 of the 27 questions</strong> that students were asked in the NSS 2024, improved from last year when Arts University Plymouth was the top-ranking arts university in the UK for 17 of the 27 questions.<br /></p>

<p>Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor &amp; Chief Executive at Arts University Plymouth said: “After receiving such excellent results last year in 2023, we are delighted that students have voted to recognise improvements in the student experience at Arts University Plymouth in almost every overall category of the National Student Survey 2024. The UK’s specialist arts universities are recognised internationally, and we’re proud to sit amongst our peers in having the quality of experience that we offer to students recognised in this important national ranking."</p>

<p dir="ltr">With a 91% positive response rate, Arts University Plymouth is the<strong> highest-scoring specialist arts university in the UK for the NSS category of ‘Learning resources’</strong>, recognising the ease of access to world-leading facilities, equipment and subject-specific specialist resources such as <a href="https://www.fablabplymouth.org/">Fab Lab Plymouth</a>, <a href="https://plymouthartscinema.org/">Plymouth Arts Cinema</a>, the Multimedia and Photography studios, Materials Lab (including hot glass and ceramics), Drawing Lab and Fashion and Textile studios.</p> <p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth has the <strong>highest-rated Students’ Union </strong>in the NSS 2024 <strong>of any specialist arts university in the UK and in Plymouth</strong>, based on the NSS question “How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?”.</p> <p dir="ltr">With a 91% positive response rate, Arts University Plymouth is the<strong> highest scoring specialist arts university in the UK for the NSS category of ‘Teaching on my course’</strong>, which includes the questions “How good are teaching staff at explaining things?”, “How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?”, “How often is the course intellectually stimulating?”, and “How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">With a 90% positive response rate, Arts University Plymouth is the<strong> highest scoring specialist arts university in the UK for the NSS category of ‘Learning opportunities’</strong>, which includes the questions “To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?”, “How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?”, “To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?”, “To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?”, and “How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?”.</p> <p dir="ltr">With an 87% positive response rate, Arts University Plymouth is the<strong> highest scoring specialist arts university in the UK for the NSS category of ‘Assessment and feedback’</strong>, which includes the questions “How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?”, “How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?”, “How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?”, “How often have you received assessment feedback on time?”, and “How often does feedback help you to improve your work?”.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth is the<strong> highest scoring specialist arts university in the UK for the NSS category of ‘Student voice’</strong>, which includes the questions “To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?”, “To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?”, “How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?”, “How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?”, “How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?”, and “During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?”.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Standout courses in the NSS 2024 include <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-media-marketing"><strong>BA (Hons) Fashion Media &amp; Marketing</strong></a>, in which students gave <strong>overall positive response rates of 100% for NSS categories including ‘Teaching on my course’ and ‘Learning resources’, </strong>and<strong> 97% for ‘Learning opportunities’ and ‘Assessment and feedback’. Other particularly highly rated courses this year by students include </strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design"><strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong></a>, which students gave <strong>overall positive response rates of 100% for NSS categories including ‘Academic support’ and ‘Organisation and management’, </strong>and <strong>98% for ‘Teaching on my course’, ‘Learning opportunities’, and ‘Assessment and feedback</strong>’.<br /></p>

<p>Comments from some of the students who completed the 2024 National Student Survey include:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“I have loved my university journey at Arts University Plymouth and I wouldn't change it. The support from my course leaders has been unmatched. We are treated like friends rather than students and the support, focus and drive from them is incredible. Thank you for an amazing three years. I couldn't have asked for more.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“The support available has been extraordinary.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“The best three years of my life. My lecturers have been an absolute dream in supporting me through everything! Could not have done this without their constant encouragement, advice and guidance. I have learned so much and feel ready to make my way into industry.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“I feel that the university provides a safe space and has made me feel comfortable. It has allowed me to find out what I enjoy about being creative. I love the emphasis on finding out who you are as a creative and how diverse the range of students' work is.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“The course was entirely positive. As a mature student, I felt supported and encouraged to succeed. The lectures are engaging and the lecturers are very good in making things clear. Best three years of my life.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“The mental health services are outstanding, compassionate and available.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“Each lecturer was amazing and I am going to miss seeing them each week. They have created an environment in which I know I can add them to my network of people to call on when needed. The amount of guest lecturers was amazing and it was great to meet them all.”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“I think that the university has some amazing creative ideas and that some of the staff are just incredible. The equipment we have access to is absolutely amazing and also the chance for self-directed projects and ideas.”</p></li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Founded in 1856 as Plymouth Drawing School, at the 2024 WUSCAs Arts University Plymouth took home second place in the UK for the Facilities award, third place overall in the Student Support category, and fourth place in the Lecturers &amp; Teaching Quality category, ranked out of over 100 of the UK’s top universities. In 2023, Arts University Plymouth was voted second in the category for best Small or Specialist Institution at the WUSCAs, following a first place win in 2022. Last year, the University excelled in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023, claiming the highest score for a specialist arts university in the UK for Learning Resources, after being voted by students as the top arts university in the UK for overall student satisfaction in NSS 2022.<br /></p>