IR-MFF, Issue 11-2020: What can we learn from spring 2020 undergraduate and graduate student surveys?
Institutional Research Monthly-Friday Fact (IR-MFF), Issue 11-2020
Office of the Provost, Nazarbayev University
What can we learn from spring 2020 undergraduate and graduate student surveys?
In Spring 2020, NU Institutional Research and Analytics administered three surveys—First-Year Undergraduate Experience, Undergraduate Exit, and Graduate Exit—to examine students’ perceptions and experiences. We briefly highlight some of the key findings, based on analyses of responses from 1,475 survey participants (67% response rate).
Results suggest that NU students were “highly” positive about their NU experiences (even more so than in previous years).
This trend is evidenced by high ratings on select composite indicators (Figure 1). Students also reported substantially high levels of graduate attribute attainment, learning gains, and individual development. A large majority were confident they would choose NU again. An even larger majority would recommend NU to potential students.
However, results also reveal several areas that need attention (Figure 2). Only 5 in 10 bachelor’s degree recipients would positively choose the same major again. Less than 60% of undergraduate students would positively recommend their major to potential students. These figures are in sharp contrast with graduate students’ perceptions.
Satisfaction with course variety/availability was relatively low. Need for improvement in this area has historically been a top recommendation by NU students. Writing requires greater attention, particularly at undergraduate levels. So does time management (a weak skill for undergraduate and graduate students alike).
At undergraduate levels, more particularly, a large gap emerged between perception of skills development (high ratings) and perception of being well prepared for career opportunities (substantially lower ratings). Frequency of engagement in behaviors that are conducive to a successful academic experience was relatively low at undergraduate levels and needs attention. Undergraduate students’ confidence that NU takes their feedback into account improved significantly in 2020, but it remains an area that requires attention.
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We invite you to write to IR (ir@nu.edu.kz) and (1) share your thoughts and experiences relative to the topic under discussion in this IR-MFF issue and/or (2) suggest a question/topic that you would like us to address in a future issue of the IR-MFF.
The IR-MFF is published every last Friday of the month (August through November and January through April). Depending on circumstances, it can be published before or after the last Friday of the month. Analyses are limited to 300 words or less (narrative text) and one or two graphs/tables. If you need more detailed information (methodological or otherwise), please contact Institutional Research and Analytics at ir@nu.edu.kz.
