Key features of the University of Manchester

1. Key features of the University of Manchester Professor Cathy Cassell Deputy Director (Academic) Sarah Featherstone Head of Undergraduate Services Original Thinking Applied

2. Where do you fit in ? Original Thinking Applied

3. Three elements to today’s session: • Overview of the wider context of what you do against the key strategic aims and objectives of the University of Manchester and Manchester Business School • National Student Survey (NSS) • Locating teaching within your academic career plan Original Thinking Applied

4. The University of Manchester – Strategic Vision 2020 • 3 Core Goals Goal 2 – Outstanding learning To provide a superb higher education and learning experience to outstanding students, irrespective of their backgrounds, and to produce graduates distinguished by their intellectual capabilities, employability, leadership qualities, and their ability and ambition to contribute to society. Original Thinking Applied

5. The Manchester Student Experience Manchester students will benefit from a transformational experience that will have a major beneficial impact on their lives. The University will engage with all of its students in a highly personalised manner from the time of their initial enquiry or application, through their programme of study and wider experience as a student, culminating in their graduation and membership of our alumni community. This will be supported by our integrated Directorate of Student Experience. The value of the Manchester student experience will be evident from the feedback of our students through the National Student Survey, the International Student Barometer, employability data and the continuing engagement of our alumni. Original Thinking Applied

6. National Student Survey (NSS) • Annual Questionnaire for final year students (open 31st January to 30th April) • Results early August • 21 Questions • - The teaching on my course • - Assessment and feedback • - Academic contact • - Organisation and management • - Learning resources • - Personal development • - Overall satisfaction Original Thinking Applied

7. Importance of the NSS • Internal and external focus • Internally • - Feedback contributes to the strategic planning and quality levels for the future • - Results drive positive action to continually improve the student experience at MBS • Externally • - Results influence UK rankings – Institution and Sector • - Results can have a powerful effect on student recruitment, particularly with the introduction of Key Information Sets Original Thinking Applied

8. NSS 2013 Results • University – overall satisfaction 85% • MBS – overall satisfaction 82% • Teaching on my course – 78%lower than the University score of 86% • Assessment and feedback – 59%lower than the University score of 67% • Academic Support – 74%lower than the University score of 79% • Organisation and Management – 86% higher than the University score of 80% • Learning Resources – 90% higher than the University score of 89% • Personal Development – 79%lower than the University score of 81% • Overall Satisfaction – 82%lower than the University score of 85% Original Thinking Applied

9. NSS 2013 Results • What we have consistently done well in • Organisation and Management • Learning Resources • Continued focus on • The teaching on my course • Assessment and feedback • Academic Support • Overall satisfaction Original Thinking Applied

10. What relates to your role as a GTA? NSS • The teaching on my course • Staff are good at explaining things • Staff have made the subject interesting • Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching • The teaching staff presented the material clearly • The course unit provided opportunities for participation and discussion • Overall, I would rate this course unit as excellent • Course Evaluation Questionnaires Original Thinking Applied

11. Student Feedback ‘Workshops and seminars…are well run and enable students to cement their knowledge of the subject in question’ ‘The seminars were very useful and encouraged participation’ ‘Some of the tutorial leaders are lovely, passionate and a credit to the university’ ‘Unfortunately there was an significant language barrier problem with the seminar leader which made the seminars not as useful as they could have been.’ ‘Seminar leaders had the knowledge but were not able to explain it well enough and make their seminars engaging.’ ‘Seminar leaders could be more enthusiastic about teaching- a better environment for discussion needs to be facilitated.’

12. What relates to your role as a GTA? • NSS • Assessment and feedback • Feedback on my work has been prompt • I have received detailed comments on my work • Feedback on my work has helped me clarify things I did not understand • Course Evaluation Questionnaires • The feedback I received on my work was helpful Original Thinking Applied

13. What relates to your role as a GTA? • NSS • Academic Support • I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies • I have been able to contact staff when I needed to • Course Evaluation Questionnaires • The teaching staff responded to questions about the subject matter Original Thinking Applied

14. School initiatives to improve the student experience • Collegial approach from all • MBS Student Experience Action Plan • Teaching Academy focusing on • Delivery of teaching – ‘In class experience’ • Feedback • Staff development • Overseeing the GTA training programme • Peer review • Support through the Teaching Academy network • Investment in the School’s teaching environment Original Thinking Applied

15. Teaching and your academic career • An increasingly important element of your academic CV • Business school income • NSS scores • Increasing fees • Increasing ‘scores on the doors’ culture

16. Developing your teaching portfolio • 3 Rs: ratings, review and reflection • Ratings from student surveys and other sources • Peer review of teaching by your course co-ordinator • Reflection and learning to improve your teaching. What would I do differently next time?

17. Any questions? Original Thinking Applied