Students not happy with universities

One in 10 students is unhappy with the standards of teaching and support received at university, according to new ratings released yesterday.

In addition, 40 per cent are not satisfied with the assessment and feedback they get from their universities, the second annual National Student Survey found.

Universities' greatest weakness was the feedback given to students about their work. Half of students said that their tutors gave prompt feedback, and51 per cent were happy with the way that dons clarified topics students had not understood.

Bill Rammell, the Higher Education minister, called on universities to improve. But he added that higher education was "the best investment you could ever make" in terms of lifetime earnings and in health benefits.

The Open University topped the overall student satisfaction table, with a 95 per cent satisfaction rating, followed by the private University of Buckingham with 94 per cent. The lowest rating for a university was 67 per cent, at Thames Valley.