Students on our MSc taught course and postgraduate research degree programmes have again ranked The Institute of Cancer Research, London, top nationally for student satisfaction in their respective surveys.
Some 98.5 per cent of respondents from our MSc in Oncology said they were satisfied with their overall student experience in Advance HE’s sector-wide Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, which is widely regarded as the closest postgraduate equivalent to the influential National Student Survey.
Students on our other postgraduate research programmes – who are studying for PhD or MD(Res) degrees – gave a 91 per cent satisfaction rating in their equivalent survey, the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey.
Teaching and support
The MSc course also ranked the ICR first in the UK for teaching, engagement, organisation and support – with overwhelmingly positive comments on the delivery of the course during the pandemic.
Our postgraduate research students ranked us top amongst nationwide participating Higher Education Institutions in the area of research culture and responsibilities. Supervision was also a particularly high-scoring area and general comments noted the supportive and collaborative environment at the ICR.
Both surveys showed that our students were significantly more satisfied with the ICR's response to the Covid-19 pandemic than the sector average in terms of communication and support received.
Areas identified for further consideration include student welfare, access to presentation and publication opportunities, and the experience of international students.
Insights from the surveys will feed into ongoing activities across our educational activities and will inform the development of the ICR's new Learning and Teaching and Culture and Engagement strategies.
The ICR has consistently ranked in the top three in these student satisfaction surveys since 2018, when the sector-wide rankings first came into effect.
Dr Barbara Pittam, Registrar and Director of Academic Services, said:
“We are delighted to see such high levels of satisfaction amongst our students once again, particularly in light of the challenges faced during the pandemic. The input and feedback we get from students is vital to help the ICR shape how we deliver and enhance our degree programmes, but also to develop our culture in general.”
Professor Clare Isacke, Dean of Academic and Research Affairs said:
“This result is a true team effort, and I'd like to thank all those who continue to go the extra mile to support the ICR and our students."