Three of the region’s universities have today been ranked among the very best in the UK for overall student satisfaction.

The University of Essex scored top marks in the National Student Survey ratings – which reveal how many students are satisfied with their courses with a percentage score – landing the university a place in the UK top ten for the fourth year running.

The University of Suffolk scored a total of 81pc – 3pc lower than last year – while Essex scored 90pc, above the national average of 86pc.

Anglia Ruskin University, which has campuses in Chelmsford and Cambridge, scored 86pc.

But despite two courses – history and mental health nursing – achieving an overall satisfaction score of 100pc, a University of Suffolk spokesman said the newly independent institution was “disappointed” with some of the results in the survey.

“There are a mixture of results across the board, with some areas faring well and others posing areas of concern,” the spokesman said.

“We have dropped in overall satisfaction compared to last year and will be taking measures to address this.”

“It is worth noting that our neighbours in the league table list are much more established universities.”

The university will be carrying out an action plan in a bid to boost next year’s rating in the coming months.

The spokesman added: “We wish to reassure our current students and those planning to join us that their needs are very much our priority.”

Today’s survey ranks the University of Essex top nationally for American studies and genetics, with student satisfaction scores of 100pc.

A further five subjects are in the top 10.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for education Professor Aletta Norval said: “I am very proud that we are once again in the top 10 nationally for student satisfaction for the fourth year in a row – showing our students really do value an Essex education.

“I am particularly pleased to see such positive feedback about access to learning resources as we have invested significantly in delivering outstanding new student facilities.

A new student centre and business school opened at the university’s Colchester campus in 2015.

To view the survey’s results in full, visit thestudentsurvey.com