Huddersfield earns top marks in national survey of universities

STUDENTS are happy at Huddersfield University - and that's official.

Their verdict is delivered in today's first Government-backed National Student Survey.

Undergraduates were asked to rate the quality of teaching, the assessment and feedback, resources available and their overall satisfaction levels.

And it was a case of thumbs-up in Huddersfield with more than 80% of its scores at or above the national average.

Delighted Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Mike Page said: "Through our own student satisfaction survey carried out 18 months ago, we knew that we were regarded by our students as supportive and friendly, and as a university that offers high-quality courses noted for their excellence in teaching.

"However, it is reassuring to have this confirmed on the national stage."

Particular praise was given to Huddersfield courses in science, politics and psychology, which were above the national average in all areas of the survey.

Two students at the town's university today backed the findings.

Forensic science student Martina Whitehead, 25, from Pontefract, said: "All the labs are brand new and have the latest equipment in them.

"It's just like you see on TV programmes like CSI and CSI Miami."

Politics student Melanie Clark, 19, from Wakefield, said: "If you need any help from anybody, even if you don't know them or haven't spoken to them before, they are always available and helpful."

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said the new ratings system would force unpopular courses to improve or close.

With students paying top-up fees of up to £3,000 a year for tuition from 2006, many would shun courses seen as bad, he said.

"This mechanism over time will identify those courses, those institutions, who are not coming up to scratch and students will vote with their feet," said Mr Rammell.

"This will provide a powerful tool for those courses and institutions to improve or to cease to function.

"Students will want to know that the investment they are making represents the best value for their money."