NSE, ISB, WTF? Measuring student satisfaction

This Thursday, we’ll discuss the outcomes of the National Student Survey (NSE) and the International Student Barometer (ISB) in the University Council. But what do these surveys measure and what did they conclude about the UG this year?

Who measures what?

The NSE has always focused on Dutch university students, but an English version has been available for a few years now. The survey focuses on general programme satisfaction, but contains in-depth questions on subjects like programme content, study facilities and preparation for the labor market.

By contrast, the ISB is focused on international students. The included themes fit this focus: study choice and arrival at the university, accommodation and living conditions, and education and support. Unlike the NSE, the ISB is administered at many universities around the world. Therefore, the results can be compared between countries and continents.

Both surveys are used as background information by the faculties and central services during the development and improvement of their policy.

The UG’s report card

According to the latest NSE scores, UG students are pretty satisfied with their programme. Furthermore, the UG gets good scores on information provision and study facilities. The scores worsen when we look at preparation for the labor market, challenging education, and internationalization.

The programme content also stands out: even though students find it of sufficient quality, the UG scores below the national average. The feedback from functionally impaired students is even more worrying: they are having a hard time finding the information they need in order to be able to successfully finish their programme, despite their disability.

The ISB results dovetail the NSE scores. Education and study facilities score very well. On the other hand, the UG doesn’t score so well on its strategic goals: active learning, inclusion, and preparation for and access to the labor market.

Of course, the NSE and ISE are just two for the many ways to measure the UG’s performance. On their own, they are insufficient for a complete picture. The outcomes of both surveys do fit in with the real-life experiences of students and results of other research. We’re therefore looking forward to the response of the Board of Directors next Thursday.