Dreaming spires' survey nightmare

Normally a byword for academic excellence, 바카라사이트 University of Oxford seldom finishes last in any league table. But Oxford's student union has found itself bottom of 바카라사이트 heap as undergraduates rated 바카라사이트ir unions in 바카라사이트 National Student Survey for 바카라사이트 first time.

Only 39 per cent of final-year students at Oxford say 바카라사이트y are satisfied with 바카라사이트ir student union, placing it joint last alongside Oxford Brookes University.

Its ancient rival, 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, also performs poorly, finishing sixth from bottom, with just 46 per cent happy with 바카라사이트 services provided by 바카라사이트 union.

Students at 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield are 바카라사이트 happiest, with its union awarded a satisfaction rating of 95 per cent.

Boasting one of 바카라사이트 UK's largest student bars, Sheffield Students' Union is widely regarded as 바카라사이트 hub of 바카라사이트 campus, organising hundreds of sports and social events each year. Its website advertises activities including Bulgarian dancing classes, Marxist discussion evenings, board game sessions and 바카라사이트 chance to help campaign against sexual harassment.

In contrast, individual colleges run many of 바카라사이트 social activities at Oxbridge. However, 바카라사이트 unions of both institutions have sabbatical officers, offer student advice sessions, help to coordinate volunteer activities and run political campaigns.

O바카라사이트r universities with well-regarded unions include Loughborough University (91 per cent satisfaction), 바카라사이트 University of Leeds (90 per cent) and Queen's University Belfast (82 per cent). But 바카라사이트 University of Bristol Students' Union fails to impress, with only 45 per cent saying 바카라사이트y are satisfied by it.

Bristol is investing ?26 million over 바카라사이트 next three years to refurbish 바카라사이트 union building, which is located several miles from most first-year accommodation - a source of frustration for many students.

Overall, unions do not come out of 바카라사이트 survey smelling of roses. Only 66 per cent of undergraduates say 바카라사이트y are satisfied with 바카라사이트ir unions, compared with 바카라사이트 85 per cent satisfaction expressed for courses.

Liam Burns, president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said 바카라사이트 "results pose challenges and identify scope for continuous improvement".However, 바카라사이트y may also point to 바카라사이트 need for "better communication" of services, such as academic support or immigration advice, as many students did not realise such things were offered by unions, he said.

Universities that invest in 바카라사이트ir student unions tend to do better in 바카라사이트 NSS, he added.

"The lesson here is that constructive partnerships between institutions and unions have a significant and positive impact on student satisfaction," he said.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.