THE University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has bucked the national trend by increasing student satisfaction by four percentage points for the second year running.

According to the National Student Satisfaction Survey (NSS) results, 81 per cent of UCA’s final year students were satisfied with their educational experience.

The survey, which showed satisfaction remain largely static elsewhere across the country, explores a range of different areas, including student views on feedback, the support they receive, and course organisation.

It concludes an academic year in which UCA made significant gains in every major league table, rising 10 places in the Complete University Guide to become not only the fastest climber, but also the highest ranked specialist creative university.

This increase was mirrored in the most recent Sunday Times University Guide, where UCA climbed 25 places, and in The Guardian’s subject tables where UCA entered the architecture top 10 and the fashion and textiles top 20.

UCA’s vice-chancellor Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr said: “Over the last three years we have taken some significant steps to enhance the student experience here at UCA.

“We have invested in the campus environment and set ourselves rigorous standards when it comes to providing feedback to students and supporting their creative development.

“I am delighted that these efforts have been rewarded by improved performance in the NSS and league tables and am so proud of the community of staff and students here at UCA who have made it happen. We remain ambitious for the future and I believe UCA is the university to watch over the next few years.”

UCA is the second largest provider of creative arts education in Europe and has campuses in Farnham, Canterbury, Epsom and Rochester, as well as teaching bases at Maidstone Television Studios and the Royal School of Needlework. 

Alumni include Dame Zandra Rhodes, Hollywood director Gareth Edwards and Turner Prize nominee Tracey Emin.