Top Ten Placing for Stirling University in Review of University Journalism Courses

A Scottish university is among the top ten UK-wide institutions for it undergraduate journalism course – a survey of student satisfaction has found.

Says the National Student Survey, released last week, the University of Stirling recorded the seventh-highest satisfaction rate for journalism degree courses, with 86 per cent of students said to be happy.

Glasgow-based Strathclyde University fared much worse, however, registering a satisfaction rating of just 36 per cent.

Meanwhile, 59 per cent of finalists at Edinburgh Napier University were reported to be satisfied with the quality of their course, while Robert Gordon – listed under 'communications and information studies' subject heading – and Glasgow Caledonian – referred to as 'media studies' – achieved ratings of 87 per cent and 78 per cent, respectively.

The annual poll, which is in its sixth year, asks final-year undergraduates to provide feedback on their courses.

Director of the Journalism Programmes and senior lecturer at Stirling, Jairo Lugo, told allmediscotland: “Here in Stirling, we add to the existing syllabus a series of extra-curriculum activities which allow students to engage and develop particular skills, while permitting networking with the industry.

“In the last academic year, we organised more than 20 guest speakers – well-known journalists and media people from all over the world – who delivered lectures and seminars and also spent time with our students.

“We also organise trips to the BBC's London headquarters, visits to local newspapers and other activities that students find helpful.”

No-one from Strathclyde was able to provide a comment.