Student Surveys Policy at Queen's
Student surveys within Queen's are delivered in accordance with the Student Surveys Policy. This policy provides guidance on when and how surveys should be carried out, along with resources for creating surveys.
Core Student Surveys
There are several core, institution-wide surveys supported by university senior management and the Students' Union. These surveys are detailed below.
Undergraduate Surveys
Queen’s undergraduates are asked to participate in three major student experience surveys at key stages in their academic careers:
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QUB Student Survey (QSS)
The QSS is an in-house survey of all undergraduate students, focusing on key areas of the student experience. The questionnaire uses some questions from the NSS alongside bespoke questions developed in association with staff and students. First-year students will complete a short survey, tailored to their level of experience, while all other pre-final year students will receive a slightly longer survey. The QSS has been developed to provide Schools and the University with information on students’ opinions about their experience and a lead indicator of student satisfaction. The survey is conducted online from late January to early February.
- National Student Survey (NSS)
The NSS is an annual survey of final-year undergraduates and allows them to have their say about their time at University. It was introduced by the funding bodies in 2005, primarily to help prospective students decide on courses and universities. The questionnaire was extensively changed in 2023. Key results are published on the DiscoverUni website. The survey is conducted by the market research organisation Ipsos, normally between early January and late April. The Survey is online in the first instance, with telephone follow-up.
Postgraduate Student Surveys
Queen’s postgraduates are normally asked to participate in two major student experience surveys, depending on their level of study.
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Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
This is a UK-wide survey of students on postgraduate taught (Master’s including MRes, PG Diploma and PG Certificate) courses. It is overseen by Advance HE (formerly HEA) and is optional for UK higher education institutions. Queen’s chooses whether it will participate in this survey on an annual basis, which is intended primarily to inform the enhancement of quality. As an enhancement tool, the University receives institutional results benchmarked to comparator groupings, but it is not possible to identify outcomes from individual universities. There are restrictions on the publication of results.
The survey can take place anytime between February and mid-June. The survey is online, with a specific link sent to PGT students inviting them to participate, and reminder emails sent throughout the survey period. Results are normally available to Schools in August.
- Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
This is a UK-wide survey of students on postgraduate research (MPhil, PhD) and professional doctorate courses (EdD, JD, DCliniPsych, etc.). It is overseen by Advance HE (formerly HEA) and is optional for UK higher education institutions. Queen’s chooses whether it will participate in this survey on an annual basis, which is intended primarily to inform the enhancement of quality. As an enhancement tool, the University receives institutional results benchmarked to comparator groupings (where this is possible), but it is not possible to identify outcomes from individual universities. There are restrictions on the publication of results.
The survey can take place anytime between February and mid-May. The survey is online, with a specific link sent to PGR students inviting them to participate, and reminder emails sent throughout the survey period. Results are normally available to Schools in August
Careers Surveys
At the start of each year, all Queen’s students are surveyed regarding their views on careers. At the end of their course, all Queen’s students will be surveyed to find out what they go on to do post-graduation.
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Career Registration Survey
This is an in-house survey of all students, carried out as part of Enrolment & Registration within QSIS. The survey asks two questions. The first question ascertains how prepared a student is in considering their future career. The second question asks whether the student has undertaken any activities related to preparing for a future career. The results of this survey are shared with the Careers Service, Graduate School, Faculties, and Schools to help in the provision of career support services.
- The Graduate Outcomes Survey
The Graduate Outcomes survey is the biggest annual social survey in the UK and captures the perspectives and current activities of recent graduates. All graduates who completed a higher education course in the UK are asked to take part in this survey 15 months after they finish their studies. The aggregated data from this survey is used by current and future students to make informed choices about their career destination and development. The survey data also helps us at Queen’s to evaluate and promote our courses. The Graduate Outcomes survey is carried out by IFF Research on behalf of Queen’s University Belfast and responses will be sent to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), who have published more information for students as well as guidance on how your contact details will be used
Student Survey Data
The results of all surveys are sent to Schools and academic support services and also to senior University committees. Deans and Directors of Academic Support are responsible for ensuring the results are properly considered and acted upon, and Schools report on survey results through their annual review processes.
Student Surveys Team
If you have any queries about the results or would like help interpreting or using them then please contact the Student Surveys Team - surveys@qub.ac.uk