Last Monday, the National Student Survey (NSS) commissioned by the HEFCE was launched across over 350 HE providers with the aim to understand student experience further. In 2016, more than 70% of final-year students completed the student survey, which is designed to give students the opportunity to give feedback about their learning experience. It offers those proudly ending their courses a golden opportunity to tell their institutions how they have experienced the last years, offering them suggestions for improvements and bettering experiences for future students.
Students are asked 27 core questions on eight areas:
- The teaching of their course
- Learning opportunities
- Assessment and feedback
- Academic support
- Organisation and management
- Learning resources
However, this year the survey has caused a bit of a stir, as the NSS data becomes a core metric for the TEF year two. With the Government’s new reforms to recognise and reward teaching excellence, evidence on criteria such as teaching quality and the learning environment will be evidenced by the NSS.
Figure 1: TEF Assessment Framework (hefce p 22)
Student Satisfaction will also be based on responses brought in by the National Student Survey. The survey furthermore provides feedback from overseas students, who are not included in the ‘non-continuation or employment or further study metrics for technical reasons’ (hefce, 13).
With the NSS now a core part of the Teaching Excellence Framework, there are fears that the results will allow HEIs permission to increase their tuition fee rates as well as affects oversea student caps.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has been particularly vocal and in December published a press release accusing the government of ‘manipulating data so institutions can justify raising tuition fees; creating a market in higher education where elitism is valued over access.’ They have claimed that some 76% of students ‘plan to oppose the scheme, including boycotting the NSS‘. The University and College Union (UCU) has also joined the campaign.
While the TEF does allow universities and colleges to increase their tuition fees in line with inflation, this is based on whether they have passed a baseline quality standard. A list of HE providers taking part in the first year are provided on the government website.
Figure 2: Tuition fees by region (UCAS)
While the TEF’s link to tuition fees has caused concern, the primary aim of the Framework is to ensure that universities are held accountable for their teaching quality, to provide an incentive for widening participation, and for developing a rating system so that all universities are measured on their methods and outputs rather than reputation. Universities must meet the eligibility criteria should they wish to raise their fees.
However, this latest rebellion by students suggests that should Government intend on having ‘students at the heart of the system‘ in new higher education reforms, it may be time to address their current growing concern with the TEF.