2 February 2005
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY: INFORMING CHOICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Today’s final year students are being offered the chance to shape the future of Higher Education across the UK, through a recently launched survey aimed at gauging their experiences at university.
The National Student Survey (NSS) is asking all 285,000 final year students for their views on the quality of the courses they have studied in universities and higher education colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is hoped that the survey will provide an opportunity for today’s students not only to shape institutions and higher education in the future, but also to help inform prospective students on their choice of university.
Since 18 January 2005, students have been e-mailed the survey questionnaire which relates to the quality of teaching on the courses they followed; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources and personal development. Students can answer the NSS questionnaire online and their responses will form part of the information available on a new web-site for future students to help them choose what and where they would like to study.
The survey is being run by the independent research company Ipsos UK and summary feedback will be provided to individual institutions and student unions.
A spokesperson for the Department for Employment and Learning explained the benefits of the survey:
"The information gained from this survey should enable Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to identify how they can make improvements. It will also alert both prospective students of HEIs, and their parents/guardians, to the availability online of student-generated comment which will increase the range, content and quality of information to be considered in making informed choices on their future."
The survey is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and the Higher Education Funding Councils for England and Wales. Further information on the National Student Survey can be obtained online at www.thestudentsurvey.com. Information gained from the survey will appear online at www.tqi.ac.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges. In doing so, it aims to promote high quality education and research, within a financially healthy sector. The Council also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice.
- The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is an Assembly Sponsored Public Body established in May 1992 under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The Council is concerned with the funding of colleges and institutions of higher education in Wales. It also has the power to fund higher education in further education colleges.
- The funding of further education in Wales is the responsibility of the National Council for Education and Training for Wales. Together the Higher Education Funding Council and the National Council for Education and Training are referred to as ELWa - Education and Learning Wales.
- Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7790.
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