STUDENTS at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) are among the happiest with their course in the country, new research shows.

Ninety six per cent of its students told the latest annual National Student Survey NSS they were satisfied overall with the quality of their degree, up one percentage point on last year.

Overall across the country, 86 per cent of students said they were satisfied with their courses - the highest percentage for 10 years.

The poll questioned around 321,000 final-year students at 156 universities, 166 colleges and three private institutions about every aspect of their university experience, including teaching, assessment, support and organisation.

Around 7% said they were dissatisfied, and a further 7% said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, with their courses.

BSMS admits about 125 students each year to its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery course.

Overall satisfaction dropped slightly from last year for the University of Brighton, from 86 per cent to 82 per cent.

Chichester College saw the biggest increase in the county, scoring 91 per cent compared to 70 per cent last year.

South Downs College saw the sharpest drop in the county, scoring 63 per cent compared to 79 per cent last year.

Other overall satisfaction results from Sussex were - University of Sussex: 85 per cent, down from 89 per cent last year - City College of Brighton and Hove: 79 per cent, up from 77 per cent - University of Chichester: 89 per cent, up from 85 per cent Northbrook College Sussex: 80 per cent, the same as last year Plumptown College: 81 per cent, up from 72 per cent Sussex Coast College, Hastings: 90 per cent, up from 86 per cent Sussex Downs College: 88 per cent, up from 80 per cent.

Professor Madeleine Atkins, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Agency for England, which publishes the survey, said: 'I'm delighted to see record levels of student satisfaction this year.

"The NSS is the largest survey of its kind in the UK. Over the last 10 years it has helped over two million students to make their voices heard.”