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2009 National Student Survey
Responses to the survey show increased participation and high satisfaction.
National Student Survey
The National Student Survey forms part of the revised quality assurance framework (QAF) for higher education. The aim of the survey is to gather feedback on the quality of students' courses in order to contribute to public accountability as well as to help inform the choices of future applicants to higher education.
About the survey
The first National Student Survey took place in 2005, and the 2009 survey has now been completed. The QAF review group has recommended that the survey be run annually for the foreseeable future in order to build a fuller picture and gather data more quickly.
Ipsos MORI was commissioned to conduct the 2005, 2006 and 2007 National Student Surveys. After a competitive tender process Ipsos MORI has been awarded the contract to run the next three surveys from 2008-2010.
Results
The results of the National Student Survey, plus other Teaching Quality Information (TQI) data are available on the Unistats web-site. In addition to the information on the Unistats site, more detailed results from the 2008 NSS are available for institutions and student unions, for internal purposes, via the Ipsos MORI NSS results web-site. This will include the anonymised qualitative comments, which are not published on the Unistats site.
Currently the National Student Survey is conducted in all HEIs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own Quality Enhancement Framework, which is currently under review. However, some Scottish HEIs have chosen to participate in the National Student Survey and their results are also available on the Unistats web-site.
An initial analysis of responses from the 2005 and 2006 National Student Survey shows confidence in the robustness of the data. Paula Surridge, from the University of Bristol, was commissioned to undertake a full analysis of the 2005 survey results, 2006 survey results and 2007 survey results: 'The National Student Survey 2005-2007: Findings and trends' was published in July 2008.
2009 National Student Survey
The 2009 National Student Survey is now complete and the result will be made available to institutions at the end of July.
TQI/NSS Steering group
The TQI initiative, including the National Student Survey, is overseen by a steering group, chaired by Professor Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor at University of Oxford Brookes. Professor Beer took over the role from Professor Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds.
Research into National Student Survey results
We are seeking proposals to conduct research into the results of the National Student Survey. We have established a dedicated research panel to assess these proposals and act as the arbitrator for this research.
Further information
Further information is available from from Julia Moss, tel 0117 931 7453, e-mail j.moss@hefce.ac.uk.
Further information regarding the 2008 NSS is available from Ipsos MORI, tel 020 8861 8110, e-mail NSS@ipsos-mori.com.
Last updated 6 August 2009