The HEPI–HEA Student Academic Experience Survey 2015

Nick Hillman, John Newton and Dr Alex Buckley

28%

59%

10%2%

Very satisfiedFairly satisfiedNot very satisfiedNot at all satis-fied

To what extent are you satisfied, or not, with the overall quality of your course?

2

28%

12%49%

9%2% It’s been better It’s been worseIt’s been better in some ways and worse in others

It’s been exactly what I expected

Other/don’t know

Thinking back to when you applied to your current university, has the reality of your academic experience matched your expectations?

3

The course wasn't challenging enough

Teaching staff were inaccessible

The course was too challenging

The teaching groups were too large

There was too little interaction with other students

The feedback was poor

There was too little interaction with staff

The teaching quality was worse than I expected

I didn't feel supported in my independent study

I received fewer contact hours than I was expecting

The course was poorly organised

I haven't put in enough effort myself

0% 5% 10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

11%

12%

13%

18%

20%

26%

26%

29%

29%

30%

32%

36%

You’ve said that your experience was worse than expected, or worse in some ways than expected, why do you feel this was?

4

10%

24%

30%

33%

3%

Yes definitelyYes maybeNo probably notNo definitely notDon’t know

Thinking about your academic experience, if you knew what you do now, would you have chosen a different course?

5

10%

31%

31%

20%

9%I have received very good value for money

I have received good value for money

I have received neither poor nor good value for money

I have received poor value for money

Which statement best describes your view of the value for money of your present course?

6

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

11%2%

23%4%

31%

24%

28%

35%

7%35%

I have received very good value for money

I have received good value for money

I have received neither poor nor good value for money

I have received poor value for money

Which statement best describes your view of the value for money of your present course?

7

Changes in students overall perceptions 2012-15

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100% 87%

62%

36%52%

84%65%

33% 33%

87%

63%

36% 33%35%49%

2012

2013

2014

2015

8

Average workload per week, during term-time

Independent study (including study with friends)

13.9 hours

Scheduled contact hours 12.8 hours

Attended contact hours 11.6 hours

Time spent outside the institution as part of the course

3.1 hours

9

Average workload per week, during term-time (range of subjects)

All subjects

Social studies

Biological sciences

Creative arts & design

0 10 20 30 40 50

1210991214

1116

1412131513

1316

13

32211

23

14

Contact hours (attended)Independent studyWork outside university as part of the course

10

To what extent do you feel that you benefit (educationally) from attending groups with… [combined “a lot” and “quite a bit”]

11

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100% 90% 87% 87%71%

56% 52%

How important to you are the following characteristics of teaching staff?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

24%54%

22%

37%

29%

34%

39%17%

44%

Ranked 1stRanked 2ndRanked 3rd

12

How important to you are the following characteristics of teaching staff?

13

Creative arts & design

Subjects allied to medicine

Education

Historical & philosophical studies

Engineering & technology

Languages

Physical sciences

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%100%

21%

31%

34%

37%

48%

48%

52%

13%

11%

9%

35%

13%

24%

26%

66%

59%

57%

28%

39%

28%

23%

They have received training in how to teachThey are currently active researchers in their subjectThey have relevant industry or professional expertise

Thinking about all the teaching you have experienced this year, what proportion of teaching staff did the following? (“All” and “majority”)

14

Helped you to explore your own areas of interest

Regularly initiated debates and discussions

Motivated you to do your best work

Worked hard to make their subjects interesting

Used lectures/ teaching groups to guide independent study

Clearly explained course goals and requirements

Were helpful and supportive

Encouraged you to take responsibility for your own learning

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

33%

39%

51%

55%

57%

63%

68%

77%

15

Personal wellbeing of students compared with ONS data (those selecting 7-10, where 10 is “completely”)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%78% 82%

73%79% 78% 72%73% 72%62%

ONS data, general populationONS data, ages 20-24HEPI-HEA data, students

16

In which areas would you most prefer your university to save money?

Reducing spending on learning facilities

Having fewer hours of teaching

Reducing the support available to academics for improving their teaching skills

Reducing student support services

Reducing financial support for hard-up students

Reducing pay for staff

Giving academics less time for research

Increasing the size of classes

Spending less on buildings

Spending less on sport and social facilities

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

5%

6%

8%

10%

12%

18%

21%

22%

45%

46%

17

The costs of teaching undergraduates are partly paid for by students themselves and partly by the government. What do you think the balance should be?

Eng

land

Sco

tland

Wales

Nor

ther

n Ire

land Al

l0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

4% 7% 4% 5% 5%

22%

37%

18% 22% 23%

43%

31%

39%42% 41%

19%15%

24%19% 19%

10% 7% 13% 11% 10%2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

Students should pay all of the costs and the gov-ernment should pay noth-ingStudents and the gov-ernment should both con-tribute, but students should pay moreStudents and the govern-ment should each pay half of the costsStudents and the gov-ernment should both con-tribute, but the govern-ment should pay moreThe government should pay all of the costs and stu-dents should pay nothingDon't know

18

Has your university given you enough information about how your tuition fees are spent?

6%

12%

31%

44%

7%

Yes definitelyYes maybeProbably notDefinitely notDon't know