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. What’s included on the TQI website? Quantitative data on : –Qualifications on entry –Continuation –Achievement –Destinations

4. What’s 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