ABERYSTWYTH University has tumbled to its lowest position ever in an influential student experience survey despite claims the institution had “turned a corner”.

In the same year that the now out-going vice-chancellor received a £4,000 a year pay rise, the institution fell to equal 67th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey.

In 2014, Aberystwyth had gone up one place from 47th to 46th in the survey, hailed by vice-chancellor Prof April McMahon as the university “turning a corner”.

Prof McMahon, who will step down in June after oversseing five years of tumbling league table positions and dwindling student numbers, said at the time: “This might be a small improvement in overall terms, but a significant one nevertheless.

“Over the past three years everyone at the university has been working very hard to improve the student experience and it is great to see this reflected in the marked improvement in feedback on accommodation. After many years of neglect, we have been investing in new teaching and learning facilities, and we will be offering some of the best university accommodation anywhere in the UK.

“There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Aberystwyth is gradually returning to its rightful position as one of the best places in the UK to be a student.”

However, the university fell back slightly in 2015 to 52nd, and now has fallen again to its lowest position ever of 67th. Despite the fall, Aberystwyth university said it is “making good progress”.

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