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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Improving and sustaining student satisfaction in North Wales – An extraordinary tale
1
Bangor University, School of Health Sciences, Bangor, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A134
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
In 2015 the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at Bangor University in North Wales, UK had a national student satisfaction overall score (NSS) of 39% and was subject to a Nursing and Midwifery Council extraordinary review. NSS scores improved from 2016 onwards and remain strong in 2025. This session will share our expertise in improving the programme and student experience despite a decade of pressure and change.
DISCUSSION:
We have established principles for midwifery education that have worked to support and sustain programme improvements. We use the acronym ‘KISSES’ to outline what we believe, and have noted, has worked to improve student experience: Keep It Simple, Standardised, Equitable, and with a Strategic view. We are midwives first and foremost and therefore the impact and outcomes of the care provided by our graduates is our primary focus. We are clear regarding our expectations of students as our future colleagues and we also aim to meet the expectations they have of us. We cannot always meet student requests or expectations due to programme requirements, however, we have found that using the principles outlined, as well as explaining to students if there are things we cannot change in response to their requests, supports programme organisation and student satisfaction. A key activity that optimises communication between students and staff is course board meetings. At this meeting, we share data from student theory and practice evaluations. Student year representatives attend to share points raised by each cohort. The team, along with representatives from practice, discuss any issues and points raised with student representatives at this meeting.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
NSS scores in the UK from 2015 to 2025. Brown, Roberts and Ford, 2022 https://maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/midwifery-student/
KEY MESSAGE:
The importance of having a clear and standardised approach to programme delivery for midwifery education cannot be understated and is the key to improving student experience. Pregnancy - access
In 2015 the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at Bangor University in North Wales, UK had a national student satisfaction overall score (NSS) of 39% and was subject to a Nursing and Midwifery Council extraordinary review. NSS scores improved from 2016 onwards and remain strong in 2025. This session will share our expertise in improving the programme and student experience despite a decade of pressure and change.
DISCUSSION:
We have established principles for midwifery education that have worked to support and sustain programme improvements. We use the acronym ‘KISSES’ to outline what we believe, and have noted, has worked to improve student experience: Keep It Simple, Standardised, Equitable, and with a Strategic view. We are midwives first and foremost and therefore the impact and outcomes of the care provided by our graduates is our primary focus. We are clear regarding our expectations of students as our future colleagues and we also aim to meet the expectations they have of us. We cannot always meet student requests or expectations due to programme requirements, however, we have found that using the principles outlined, as well as explaining to students if there are things we cannot change in response to their requests, supports programme organisation and student satisfaction. A key activity that optimises communication between students and staff is course board meetings. At this meeting, we share data from student theory and practice evaluations. Student year representatives attend to share points raised by each cohort. The team, along with representatives from practice, discuss any issues and points raised with student representatives at this meeting.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
NSS scores in the UK from 2015 to 2025. Brown, Roberts and Ford, 2022 https://maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/midwifery-student/
KEY MESSAGE:
The importance of having a clear and standardised approach to programme delivery for midwifery education cannot be understated and is the key to improving student experience. Pregnancy - access
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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