First Impressions of Teaching

Each November, we check in with students and ask a simple but important question: “How have your classes and lectures been so far?

Here’s what you told us this year.

⭐ Standout departments

Students rated their classes and lectures as good across the board in several areas - with East 15, Edge Hotel School, and SMSAS all hitting a brilliant 100%.

Across all three years we’ve been asking this question, the top-rated departments remain East 15, Edge Hotel School, and Language & Linguistics. Consistency for the win.

 

👍 What’s working well

For students who rated their experience as good, the real star of the show is the quality of teaching (32.9%). Close behind is the sense that classes are interesting and informative (17.3%). When teaching lands well, everything else tends to follow.

 

👀 What’s not working

For students who rated their experience as not good, the biggest issue continues to be problems with teaching (34.6%). This really highlights that one style of teaching doesn’t work for everyone - and students notice when a class isn’t clicking.

This year we also saw lack of support (19.2%) and lack of engagement (19.2%) rise as common concerns.

 

🔧 What students want to see changed

Over the last two years, more than half of students who rated their experience good said there’s nothing they’d change - a solid sign that things are going well for them.

For those who didn’t have such a positive experience, the main areas they want to see improved are:

  • Higher teaching standards (27.8%)
  • More academic support (16.7%)