Students will have the chance to help shape the future of their University with the launch of this year’s National Student Survey (NSS) in early February.

NSS is a census of students in the final year of a course leading to undergraduate credits or qualifications. It is an opportunity to give your opinions on what you liked about your time at your institution as well as things that you felt could have been improved.

The quality of teaching, facilities and the student experience will all be considered, with the feedback influencing any future improvements that the University and individual Schools may decide to put in place.

Last year, Nottingham jumped 12 places up the NSS league table — from 42nd to 30th — and has its sights set firmly on a Top 20 position this year.

The University has joined forces with the Students’ Union to create the Proud To Be campaign, aimed at raising the profile of its achievements and improvements and encouraging more students to have their say on the University’s future.

Feedback from previous surveys has led to various changes, including: a requirement for exam feedback, a 28-day limit for the return of coursework, the creation of Student Services Centres at Jubilee and Sutton Bonington campuses and the launch of the Nottingham Advantage Award, an extra-curricular scheme aimed at improving students’ employability.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Saul Tendler, has stressed the importance of using the survey to help influence the future.

Prof Tendler said: “While the NSS informs the outside world of what we have achieved, it also gives us scope to evaluate what we are doing and to make alterations or improvements where they can be seen to enhance student learning.”

Each department is required to get at least 50 per cent (or a minimum of 23) of final-year undergraduates to complete the survey, and Schools have been asked to promote the survey in lectures and via other channels, to encourage their students to speak up. Each student will be contacted individually to encourage them to complete the survey, which is administered by Ipsos MORI, an independent market research agency.

The opportunity to get a clear picture of students’ expectations is likely to become even more important with the impending increase of tuition fees. Prof Tendler said it is essential that students see their views being heard, taken seriously and, where appropriate, acted upon.

“The University has always aspired to provide excellence in education, and in so doing, meet the expectations of our students whatever course they are studying, background they are from or indeed whatever their fees status,” said Prof Tendler.

“Potentially moving to a world of increased tuition fees should not alter that fundamental principle although perhaps what might change is the need to articulate our vision even more clearly to our students, both current and potential.”

The NSS results will be fed back to individual Schools at the beginning of the next academic year.