What surveys will I be asked to complete?
Most students will be asked to complete three surveys per year: surveys at the end of each semester for each of their modules/units and one survey at the end of the year (SSES for most students, NSS for final year undergraduates).
National Student Survey (NSS)
The National Student Survey is completed by students across the UK and asks final year undergraduates about their experience on their course. It runs during February, March and April every year and is administered by Ipsos Mori, an independent market research agency. Survey responses are anonymous.
The National Student Survey 2020 opens for University of the Highlands and Islands students between 04 February and 30 April 2020.
Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey (SSES)
This survey is administered by the university on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council. It is sent to all students (other than those required to take part in the National Student Survey) and responses are anonymous.
The survey contains ten core questions (although some academic partners may choose to add more of their own) and asks about students' experience of learning, feedback and skills development, as well as their views on their Students' Association.
End of module/unit surveys
These short surveys are issued at the end of each semester to everyone studying on a degree module (and some HN units).
They are an opportunity to give direct feedback to the teaching staff on your module or unit. These surveys are administered by the University and responses are anonymous. There are 14 questions - 11 multiple choice and three open-ended- which ask students' opinions on different aspects of their academic experience such as teaching, content and assessment and feedback.
Surveys for postgraduate students
The university partcipates in two surveys for postgraduate students which run in alternate years. PRES (Postgraduate Research Experience Survey) and PTES (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey) are both administered by the Higher Education Academy and responses are anonymous.
These surveys are the chance for postgraduates to feedback their experiences on teaching and learning. We need to know what postgraduates think so we can address issues and keep doing what is valued. It is an opportunity to say what went well and what could have been improved.
More information can be found here.
Early Student Experience Survey (ESES)
This survey is sent out by a number of Academic Partners in October-November to ask students about their experience of their first few weeks. Anonymised responses are analysed, and results reported to Academic Partner and University committees to inform changes and improvements.
