National Student Survey (NSS)

NSS 2008 - If you have an opinion make sure it’s heard!

What do you think of your course? Every final year undergraduate and fourth year part-time students has the opportunity to feedback on their academic experiences through the National Student Survey. The survey takes place between January and April each year and results are used to inform prospective students about where and what to study.

The current survey is currently underway – to fill out online go to www.thestudentsurvey.com for more information.

FAQs

What is the National Student Survey?
The National Student Survey is an annual survey that asks final year undergraduate students in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Scottish institutions for their views on the quality of their course. The questions cover:

• Quality of teaching
• Assessment and feedback
• Academic support
• Organisation and management
• Learning resources
• Personal development
• Overall satisfaction

Where can I find the results?
The results are published alongside other quality related information on the Unistats website (www.unistats.com). The site is designed to help future applicants to HE make more informed choices, allowing them to identify courses that best suit their needs and interests. More detailed results are given to institutions and student unions’, helping them make positive changes for the future.

Who is taking part in the 2008 survey?
All final year undergraduate students registered at higher education institutions in the England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Scottish institutions will be surveyed. Please note:

• Students on more flexible part-time programmes (whose final year cannot be easily predicted) will be surveyed during their fourth year of study.
• Students who were due to be in their final year in 2007, but have withdrawn or are repeating their penultimate year, will be included in the survey.

When will it take place?
Surveys take place between January and April each year although universities decide their own specific start date to avoid exam or election periods. To find out your start date contact your union or ask a lecturer.

How do I take part?
If you are eligible Ipsos MORI, the independent market research company administrating the survey will contact you during the survey period to take part. If you do not respond to their initial email invitation within a few weeks, they will try to reach you by post and then by telephone. This is being done in order to contact as many students as possible so that the survey generates reliable information. You could alternatively go direct to www.thestudentsurvey.com Once you have completed the survey, or opted-out, then you will not be contacted again.

Will my answers be kept anonymous?
Yes, all answers will be kept anonymous and no one will be able to identify you from the answers you have given.

Do I have to take part?
No, if you do not wish to take part you can opt-out of the survey. At any stage that Ipsos MORI contacts you, you can reply and say you do not wish to take part. You will not be contacted again.

Any further questions please contact thestudentsurvey@ipsos.com.