The Student Experience Survey (SES) is designed to capture key aspects of the student experience in Australian higher education. It is structured around five core focus areas:
Data for the SES is collected through the Student Experience Questionnaire (SEQ). This instrument targets elements of the student experience that are:
The SEQ includes 46 individual questionnaire items that collectively inform the focus area scores. These scores are calculated based on the percentage of students who gave positive responses to the relevant items, rather than using average or summated scores. This method provides a clear, consistent, and easily interpretable measure of student experience across institutions. See Production of scores in the SES for information on the calculation of the scores in the SES.
In addition to the core items, the SEQ includes:
A full list of the items included in the SEQ for the 2024 survey is provided in Table 1 to Table 10.
There were no changes to the SEQ items between 2023 and 2024 surveys.
The SEQ items used in 2023, and earlier years, can be found in the Appendices of each year’s SES National Report.
Table 1 Skill Development items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| To what extent has your <course> developed your… | a) critical thinking skills? b) ability to solve complex problems? c) ability to work with others? d) confidence to learn independently? e) written communication skills? f) spoken communication skills? g) knowledge of the field(s) you are studying? h) development of work-related knowledge and skills? | Not at all / Very little / Some / Quite a bit / Very much |
Table 2 Peer Engagement items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking about your <course> in <SURVEYYEAR>, how frequently have you… | a) Contributed to class discussion? (e.g. in-person discussions, online chat forums, discussion boards) b) Worked with other students as part of your <COURSE>? (e.g. group assignments, in-class collaboration) c) Interacted with other students to give or receive help with your study? (e.g. study groups, informal conversations about your study) d) Interacted socially with other students outside of your study? e) Interacted with a diverse range of students? | Never / Rarely / Sometimes / Often / Always |
Table 3 Teaching Quality and Engagement items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking about your <course>, | a) overall how would you rate the quality of your entire educational experience this year? | Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent |
| Thinking of this year, overall at <institution>, | a) how would you rate the quality of the teaching you have experienced in your <course>? | Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent |
| During SURVEYYEAR, to what extent have the lecturers, tutors and demonstrators in your <course>: | a) engaged you actively in learning? b) demonstrated concern for student learning? c) provided clear explanations on coursework and assessment? d) stimulated you intellectually? e) commented on your work in ways that help you learn? f) seemed helpful and approachable? g) set assessment tasks that challenge you to learn? | Not at all / Very little / Some / Quite a bit / Very much |
| In SURVEYYEAR, to what extent has [your study/your <course>] been delivered in a way that is… | a) well structured and focused? b) relevant to your education as a whole? | Not at all / Very little / Some / Quite a bit / Very much |
Table 4 Student Support and Services items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| How helpful have you found the following supports and services provided by your institution during 2023? | a) enrolment processes and support b) induction/orientation activities c) online learning platform (i.e. Learning Management System) d) career development services (including employability skill development, careers advice and planning) e) study or learning support services f) counsellors and/or health services g) financial and/or legal advisors | Not at all helpful / A little helpful / Somewhat helpful / Quite helpful / Very helpful / Not applicable |
Table 5 Learning Resources items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking of this year, overall how would you rate the following learning resources provided for your <course>? | a) Teaching spaces (e.g. lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, laboratories) b) Student spaces and common areas c) Online learning materials d) Computing/IT resources e) Assigned books, notes and resources f) Laboratory or studio equipment g) Library resources and facilities | Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent / Not applicable |
Table 6 Considered leaving items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| During SURVEYYEAR, have you seriously considered leaving <institution>? | Yes, I have seriously considered leaving / No, I have not seriously considered leaving | |
| Please indicate your reasons for seriously considering leaving your current university in SURVEYYEAR. Select all that apply. | Boredom/lack of interest /Commuting difficulties /Concerns about my institution’s reputation /<course> expectations not met /Difficulty with study workload /Family caring responsibilities /Financial difficulties /Gap year/deferral /Lack of academic support / Lack of administrative support /Lack of career prospects /Lack of connection to my institution /Limited access to technology / Low or failing grades /Moving residence /Moving to another institution /My <course> is too difficult /My English language skills / My mental health /My physical health / My stress levels /Paid work responsibilities / Quality concerns /Social reasons / Study/life balance /To pursue a career or job offer /To travel /Other reasons (please specify) |
Table 7 Open-response items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| What have been the best aspects of your <course>? | Open response | |
| What aspects of your <course> most need improvement? | Open response |
Table 8 Demographic and contextual items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| Which of these best describes how you participated in your classes in <SURVEYYEAR>? This may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, laboratories and workshops. | All online, i.e. all students and teachers are online / All on-campus, i.e. students and teachers in the same physical place at the same time / Blended / hybrid, i.e. a mix of online and on-campus | |
| In <SURVEYYEAR>, what proportion of all your classes did you participate in online? This may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, laboratories and workshops. | None / Some / About half / Most / All | |
| In <SURVEYYEAR>, which best describes your online <course>? | My <course> requires me to participate in classes with teachers and other students at the same time / My <course> requires me to access content in my own time. I don’t have classes with other teachers or students / My <course> is a mix of the above. Some <units> have classes with students and teachers in them at the same time. Some <units> have no classes and I access content in my own time. / Other (please describe) | |
| In <SURVEYYEAR>, what proportion of your <course> involved activities such as placements, internships or work integrated learning? | None / Some / About half / Most / All | |
| In what year did you first start your current <course>? | SURVEYYEAR-4 YEARS/ SURVEYYEAR-4 YEARS / SURVEYYEAR-3 YEARS / SURVEYYEAR-2 YEARS / SURVEYYEAR-1 YEAR / SURVEYYEAR | |
| When do you expect to complete your current <course>? | SURVEYYEAR / SURVEYYEAR+1 YEAR or later | |
| At <E306CTXT> during SURVEYYEAR, to what extent have… | a) Your living arrangements negatively affected your study? b) Your financial circumstances negatively affected your study? c) Paid work commitments negatively affected your study? | Not at all / Very little / Some / Quite a bit / Very much / Not applicable |
Table 9 Freedom of expression items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| The following statements are about freedom of expression on campus at <E306CTXT>. Freedom of expression can be part of the academic and social aspects of your student experience. How strongly do you agree or disagree that… | a) I am free to express my views at <E306CTXT> b) Academics are free to express their views at <E306CTXT> c) I am free from discrimination, harm or hatred at <E306CTXT> | Strongly disagree / Disagree / Neither disagree or agree / Agree / Strongly agree |
Table 10 International student items
| Stem | Item | Response scale |
|---|---|---|
| When deciding to study in Australia, how important was…. | a) The reputation of Australia’s education system? b) Your personal safety and security? I) The cost of living? c) The ability to work part-time? d) The opportunity to study in an English-speaking country? e) Having friends and family already in Australia? f) The chance to experience a new culture/lifestyle? g) The possibility of migrating to Australia? h) The weather/climate? | Extremely important / Important / Not important / Not at all important / Don’t know |
| When you were deciding to apply to <E306CTXT>, how important was… | a) The reputation of the education provider? b) The reputation of the qualification? c) <E306CTXT> offered the course I wanted to study? d) The course fee? e) Employment opportunities after completing the course? f) <E306CTXT> had a partnership with my local institution? g) The location of the institution? | Extremely important / Important / Not important / Not at all important / Don’t know |
| How satisfied are you with each of the following aspects of living in Australia? | a) Employment while studying b) Improving your English skills c) Getting work experience in your field of study d) Transport e) Personal safety on campus f) Personal safety off campus g) Making friends h) Overall living experience in Australia | Very satisfied / Satisfied / Dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied / Not applicable |
| When coming to Australia, did you use an agent to help you with your visa application or to enrol at <E306CTXT>? | Yes / No | |
| How would you rate the overall service provided by the agent? | Very good / Good / Poor / Very poor | |
| Which of the following best describes your current living arrangements? | University or college halls of residence / Student house or flat controlled by university / Private halls or student hostel / Private rented house/flat/room / Homestay with a family not related to you / Living with parents / With friends or relatives in their accommodation / Other (please specify) | |
| Overall, how satisfied are you with your current living arrangements? | Very satisfied / Satisfied / Dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied | |
| Why are you dissatisfied with your current living arrangements? | Too expensive / Not enough space / Too noisy / I am lonely / Issues with housemates / Issues with landlord or agent / Dirty / Old/bad condition / Slow internet / Located too far from institution / Other (please specify) |