Open University ranks first for student satisfaction in Northern Ireland

The Open University (OU) has ranked no.1 for Overall Student Satisfaction in Northern Ireland for the eighteenth year in a row in the National Student Survey (NSS) results published today.

The NSS is an annual survey of nearly half a million final year students across the UK.  It is their opportunity to give honest feedback about what it has been like to study on their course at their university or college.

The results, published on Wednesday 6 July 2022, show that the OU achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 88% in Northern Ireland.

In the face of challenging external conditions, The Open University has remained focused on its mission, to be open to people, places, methods and ideas and to support over 5,500 students in Northern Ireland on their learning journey.

The OU’s local Student Support Team in Belfast is dedicated to ensuring the provision of a supportive community and learning environments for all Open University students through a number of channels including phone and email.

These results are also reflective of the skills intervention work the OU has undertaken, providing fully funded courses by the Department for the Economy.  Over 2,500 course places were offered, and extra support given to ensure students were guided and supported with their careers during what has been an extremely difficult year.

Speaking of the achievement, Michael Bower, Assistant Director for Student Success at the OU in Ireland said:

“We are delighted to see such a strong endorsement from the people who matter the most to us – our students. Our dedicated teams provide first-class support and teaching to our students throughout their studies. While we are a distance learning university, we seek to provide individualised support based on the unique needs of each student. Our teams worked extremely hard to support students going through difficult circumstances during the pandemic and I am delighted that we were able to maintain such a high level of student satisfaction throughout it."

"We don't take this recognition lightly. We are continuously seeking to provide new and innovative ways to enable our students to succeed and to have an exceptional study experience with The Open University.”

Michelle from Lisburn, studied a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care and spoke about her experience studying with The Open University;

“It is very empowering to feel that you belong, and you are equal.  My OU degree has supported me in my personal journey of becoming a more fully rounded person. From a self-imposter four years ago, lifting the phone and requesting a prospectus, to now a more confident and self-aware person, I can whole-heartedly say, I did it! I will never forget my OU experience, and I will always be beholden for the career opportunities and personal quietude, this has afforded me. Thank you.”