How useful is the National Student Survey when choosing where to study?

The National Student Survey (NSS) has returned asking final-year students across the country about their university experience.

The survey is commissioned by the Office for Students and is there for students to provide feedback on their place of study and course to help improve the experience for future students.

But did current Kingston students find the survey useful when making their decision about which university to go to?

A pattern across many of the students we spoke to at Kingston was that although they were aware of the NSS, it did not factor into their decision to pick Kingston as their university.

Many chose to study here because of convenience or because of the university’s reputation for courses such as fashion and architecture.

Luyao Xu, a first-year fashion design student said: “I’m from China and I want to learn about other cultures so that’s why I picked Kingston University.

It’s rated highly in fashion and I’m interested in fashion design.”

Despite many Kingston students saying the NSS had no effect on their decision to pick the university, there was agreement that the survey does help to improve the University and helps give students a voice to air their views.

Third-year BA Media and Communication student, Andrew Obeng Stevens said: “I think the NSS is necessary, it can certainly aid the choice for prospective students, I also think it can help universities to improve in places they perhaps were not aware of.”

The response rate among UK students to last year’s NSS was 69% and the campaign is under way to get as many eligible students as possible to complete the survey this year.

The NSS this year will be available until April 30.