NUS launches new research enquiry into the student learning experience

We are very excited to officially launch NUS’ new student learning experience survey. NUS has secured funding for the next three years to conduct a major piece of research into the student experience looking at all aspects of their time at university, and exercise which will provide a detailed evidence base for NUS leading in to the 2009 Review as well as our wider campaigning activity.

The survey will provide figures for key issues such as the number of contact hours that students receive, the 'hidden' additional costs associated with studying and the number of hours that students do in terms of paid employment during term-time, as well as looking at other issues such as whether their experience matches their expectations.

The aim is to get enough respondents to be able to cut the data by type of institution, age, race, disability, socio-economic group, full-time/part-time study, subject type and the nations within the UK.

Below is a link to the latest draft of the research questions so that you can help advise us on whether we have included the right sections and broad questions. Please send any comments to Alex Bols, NUS’ Head of Education and Quality by Friday 5pm 9 May. We’re not asking for comments on specific questions as these have been drafted by the market research company GfK NOP.

Download the draft questions

We are pleased to have received more than £300,000 from HSBC to fund this research. Last summer, after our campaigning activities, the bank reversed its decision to change their graduate account without consultation and we have been in discussion with them surrounding the account and received assurances that it will not take similar action. The contract allows NUS to pull-out of the deal if NUS/Conference so decides.

Note to student media:
A news release is available for you to download here.