THE ARTS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEAT BOURNEMOUTH

Summary results of Student Perception Survey2012

1.Introduction

1.1The Student Perception Survey was conducted in March 2012. This is an annual survey conducted across all students of the Arts University College at Bournemouth. The survey comprises 35 questions about the full range of the student learning experience, and is conducted using an anonymised paper form which is then analysed by Student Services.

1.2The Survey is introduced to each course cohort by senior members of staff from Academic Services with no previous connection with the course. They explain the purpose of the survey, and how it is used to inform developments to the student experience. The form is distributed, completed anonymously, and handed back in. This has proved an effective way of managing the process, whilst sharing the burden of visiting a large number of cohorts.

1.3The overall response rate of participating cohorts was76%, the same as in 2011. This was based on a response rate of 76% for higher education, and 79% for further education. This is considerably ahead of sector norms, and provides a sound basis for analysis. The high response rate is a reason why the University College has continued with the apparently labour-intensive paper-based approach for this survey.

2.Headline results

2.1Overall results are extremely strong. This was the sixth successive year in which improved results have been secured, with an average of 90% of respondents satisfied (against 89% in 2011).

2.2In line with national surveys, the results presented here refer only to the percentage of students who agree with each statement. This percentage figure takes no account of whether or not respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” with statements, which may be relevant at course level or for detailed review of individual questions.

2.3Appendix One gives the percentage of students who agree with each question. Of particular note are the following answers:

21 / I am treated fairly and with respect. / 97%
23 / I would recommend my course to others. / 91%
24 / I would recommend the University College to others. / 97%

2.4No question received a satisfaction rate of below 70% and only threequestions show satisfaction levels between 75% and79%.

3.Results by level and mode of study

3.1Appendix Two gives the overall results for the University College by level and mode of study. The outcomes show a marginal improvement on 2011 results for both higher and further education courses. It is also reassuring that each level of higher education study shows strong results which are consistent with previous years; historically, Level 4 students tended to be more satisfied but this appears to have stabilised. Likewise, in previous years, Level 6 students have given lower responses for recommending their course to theirs than previous levels; in 2011, only 84% of Level 6 students agreed that they would recommend their course to others, against 91% at Levels 4 and 5. However, in 2012 90% of Level 6 students agreed with this statement, against 95% for Level 4 and 88% for Level 5.

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