Best in Britain for building, say students

Students at the University of Bolton rate their university the best in Britain for building studies, according to a national survey monitoring student satisfaction.

The *Times Higher Education Supplement's breakdown of the new National Student Survey places Bolton at the top of the building subject area's nationwide league table.

And the **Sunday Times' analysis of the survey has ranked Bolton's mechanical engineering course in the country's top three when it comes to meeting students' needs.

This is a double achievement for the School of Built Environment and Engineering. School Director, Alan Cornthwaite, puts high success down to three approaches: student support and guidance, smaller teaching groups and investment in equipment.

Said Alan: 'Students like to be taught in smaller groups, they get the support and guidance they need. In other universities students can find themselves in lecture theatres with 200 or more other students. We work with much smaller student teams.

'We have also invested in new equipment this year – for both engineering and building-related studies students.'

The School of Built Environment and Engineering has 1400 students based at the university's Deane Campus, of which 450 are studying on engineering courses. Engineering students move into new state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the University of Bolton's £1.7 million Innovation Factory this year.

'The university has invested £350,000 in new equipment for our students this year and more than half of that has been ploughed into engineering, providing the new lab facilities with the latest equipment,' said Alan.

New, innovative degrees have been launched by the School, including the new Property Development with Design for Interiors degree which has just recruited its second student cohort. Focusing on preparing students for the career for their choice, this degree programme takes its students through all aspects of the property development profession, including the knowledge and skills needed to enable them to consider starting their own businesses.

The School also has a growing national reputation for research, focusing on transport, Aero-Mechanical structures, facilities management and inclusive design. It also runs a business consultancy service through its Product Design Studio, working with companies and entrepreneurs to overcome design challenges.

Added Alan: 'To discover our students value us so highly that we come top in the country is extremely pleasing. I know all the staff team work hard to support our students and this has clearly been recognised. I would like to thank our students for championing their university in this way and also the staff team whose dedication has achieved this result.'