Examining graduate built environment student satisfaction in the UK. What matters the most?

The aim of this paper is to establish an evaluation of graduate built environment student satisfaction in the UK. The data used for this paper is from Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES). Exploratory factor analysis was used to produce the list of student satisfaction factors. Six student satisfaction factors were identified, including Quality of staff and course (F1), Student learning environment (F2), Personal development of students (F3), Student services (F4), Appropriate assessment (F5) and Clear expectation (F6). Multiple and hierarchical regression analysis was used to identify the level of influence of demographic variables on each of the student satisfaction factors and the level of statistically significant prediction of individual student satisfaction factors on overall student satisfaction. Quality of staff and course is the most important factor influencing built environment student satisfaction. Attendance type is the only demographic factor which is statistically significant but has a negative impact on built environment student satisfaction. This paper’s contribution to literature is in the area of identifying some important elements for enhancing student satisfaction which universities can take on board for developing a strategy to enhance student satisfaction.