The National Student Survey (NSS)

1
The National Student Survey (NSS)

• Richard Puttock Senior Analyst
• Julian Martin Policy Officer

2
How did TQI come about ?

• Up until 2001, QAA assessed teaching quality at
  each department (statutory duty)
• In 2001 it was agreed to move to a new system of
  QAA institutional audit and TQI
• New quality arrangements based on
• Institutions autonomy and responsibilities
• Lightness of touch
• Informing stakeholders

3
Whats included on the TQI website?

• Quantitative data on
• Qualifications on entry
• Continuation
• Achievement
• Destinations

4
Whats included on the TQI website?

• Qualitative data
• External examiner report summaries
• Internal review report summaries
• Student feedback

5
How did NSS come about ?

• Desire to include student voice
• Investigation to see whether HEIs own student
  feedback would be suitable for publication
• Concluded that a new survey needed
• Extensive NSS pilot carried out

6
The Questionnaire

• 21 closed questions in 6 areas
• Teaching quality
• Assessment and feedback
• Academic support
• Organisation and management
• Learning resources
• Personal development
• One summative question
• 2 open ended questions

7
Survey process

• Target list generated from HESA records
• Survey agency collected contact details
• Survey agency attempted to contact students
• E-mail/website
• Post
• Phone
• Opt-out available

8
Survey progress

• Started contacting students in January
• Main survey phase nearly complete
• Current overall response rate 56

9
Outcomes

• Results will be
• published on the TQI site
• Fed back to institutions/SUs
• The Survey will be reviewed and assessed
• Analysis of the overall results will be carried
  out and disseminated to the academic community

10
Effects of using HESA data

• Advantages
• Consistent coverage one algorithm all HEIs
• Less burden on HEIs
• Disadvantages
• Students may not always be in final year
• Relies on good data from HEIs

11
Crucial HESA fields (1)

• Course length (SPLENGTH/UNITLGTH)
• Year of Programme (YEARPRG)
• Start date (COMDATE)

12
Crucial HESA Fields (2)

• FTE (STULOAD)
• Source of funding (FUNDCODE/MSFUND)
• Special students (SPCSTU)
• Qualification aim (QUALAIM)
• Subject of qualification aim (also TQI)

13
Changes for 2006

• Target lists generated by HESA during collection
• Type D exclusions not allowed
• Explicit exclusion of one year PT courses
• Simplification of expected end algorithm
• Probable exclusion of students included in 2005
  survey

14
Presentation of data (1)

• Based on subject groups (41 default)
• Basket metaphor
• Initially 6 scales plus overall satisfaction
• Question level detail available

15
Presentation of data (2)

• Require 30 responses
• Require 50 of students to respond
• If data not available offer at next level up

16
Timetable for remainder of 2005 Survey

• Early-April preview of student allocation to
  cells
• Mid-April survey work completed
• Early July results preview via IPSOS
• Late August preview via TQI
• Early September launch on TQI
• September Detailed feedback to HEIs

17
Any Questions ?

• www.tqi.ac.uk
• www.thestudentsurvey.com