What are students actually saying about Group size SSRs (NSS 2018–2025)?

Students are, on the whole, positive about group sizes and student–staff ratios. Two-thirds of comments are positive, but there are clear pockets where the experience dips — notably among part-time and mature students, and in a few subject areas.

Scope: UK NSS open-text comments for Group size SSRs across academic years 2018–2025.
Volume: ~1,605 comments; 100% assigned to this topic with sentiment.
Overall mood: 66.8% Positive, 29.7% Negative, 3.6% Neutral (positive:negative ≈ 2.3:1). Sentiment index: +29.6.

What students are saying in this category

• The tone is broadly positive: students frequently report manageable class sizes and good access to staff. The overall sentiment index sits at +29.6, reflecting substantially more positive than negative statements.
• Mode matters. Full-time students are positive (index +31.2), while part-time students report a near net-negative experience (−2.4). Apprenticeships are very positive (+44.1) but on a small base (n=5).
• Demographic differences are material. Disabled students are notably positive (+35.9) versus those not disabled (+28.3). Female students report a stronger tone (+34.2) than male students (+20.9). Non‑UK domiciled students are less positive (+16.4) than UK groups.
• Subject patterns vary. Languages and area studies (+46.5), geography/earth/environment (+41.8), and design/creative (+38.1) are strong. Computing is neutral to slightly negative (−0.6), physical sciences is muted (+4.4), and combined/general studies is notably negative (−21.6). Treat small bases with care when interpreting extremes.

Trend & segmentation (2018–2025)

Key segments by tone and volume

By CAH broad area (top 8 by volume)

Note: Smaller areas show sharp variation (e.g., Combined/General −21.6; Computing −0.6), but volumes are modest.

What this means in practice

• Protect small-group access in higher‑risk segments
  • Set explicit caps for seminars/tutorials on part‑time routes and mature-heavy cohorts; monitor breach rates weekly.
  • Pre‑assign reserve facilitators to avoid last‑minute group merges.
• Measure actuals, not just plans
  • Capture headcount and staff present per session; publish “planned vs actual” group size summaries by module.
  • Escalate when thresholds are exceeded (e.g., >10% over cap for two consecutive weeks).
• Timetable design for SSR stability
  • Offer parallel seminar streams with clear capacity; split oversubscribed groups quickly rather than adding seats.
  • Prefer more, shorter contact points over fewer, crowded ones where space/staffing allow.
• Targeted support for specific cohorts
  • Part-time: ensure equivalent tutorial availability and predictable scheduling.
  • Non‑UK domiciled students: set clear expectations about small‑group learning and access routes to staff; signpost early.
• Close the loop visibly
  • Provide a simple way for students to flag overcrowding; acknowledge within 48 hours and report fixes by cohort.

How Student Voice Analytics helps you

• Shows how student–staff ratio and group-size comments move over time, with drill‑downs from provider to school/department, programme, and cohort.
• Like‑for‑like comparisons by CAH code and by demographics (age, domicile, mode, site/campus), plus segmentation for apprenticeships and part‑time routes.
• Produces concise, anonymised summaries you can share with programme teams and timetabling/staffing leads; export-ready tables and briefings.

Data at a glance (2018–2025)

• Volume: 1,605 comments; 100% with sentiment.
• Overall mood: 66.8% Positive, 29.7% Negative, 3.6% Neutral; index +29.6 (≈2.3:1 positive:negative).
• Strong segments: Disabled (+35.9), Female (+34.2), Full‑time (+31.2); Languages & area studies (+46.5), Geography/Earth/Environment (+41.8), Design/Creative (+38.1).
• Weaker segments: Part‑time (−2.4), Non‑UK domiciled (+16.4), Combined/General (−21.6), Computing (−0.6). Treat small bases with care.