Results National Student Survey: Lecturer appreciation high, job market preparation remains point for development
The annual National Student Survey (NSE) was conducted in the first quarter of 2024. A third of all Leiden University students responded. Lecturer appreciation and atmosphere were rated highly, whereas job market preparation and student well-being remain points for development.
In the first quarter of 2024, a third of all Leiden University students responded to the National Student Survey (NSE), generating over 2,700 euros for the Livable Planet project. The response rate at our university was slightly lower than last year but still higher than the national average.
Students were asked to rate their study programmes and the education they receive on a scale of 1 to 5, i.e. from very dissatisfied /completely disagree, to very satisfied/completely agree. On average, students at Leiden University gave their education a score of 3.88. Which means the score has remained stable when compared to previous editions of the NSE.
Lecturers and atmosphere highly rated
Students were very satisfied with the atmosphere within their study programmes, also when compared to other large Dutch universities. Leiden University’s lecturers were also highly rated. In particular, our lecturers’ expertise in their subject areas was much appreciated. Compared to other university students in the Netherlands, students at Leiden University were on average more positive about their lecturers on a greater range of topics. Lecturer appreciated is important. Also in view of the role a lecturer can play in forming a bridge with, and providing the necessary information and skills for, the professional field.
Student opinion supports university policy on job market preparation
Compared to other themes, job market preparation was again rated lower than other aspects of Leiden University’s study programmes. Also when compared to other large Dutch universities. In response to the results of the 2023 NSE, over the past year, our Career Services and other teams have been taking steps to promote the acquisition of job market skills within our curriculum. The university is also working towards this goal as part of its Vision on Teaching and Learning through the themes of Skills and Employability enhancement.
Need for student support remains high
The percentage of students indicating a need for additional support in this year’s NSE (60%) is striking. As in previous years, psychological well-being was identified as the most important aspect in which students require additional support. This ongoing need is evident to the student psychologists at the university’s Student Support Services. As an illustration, the university's Student Support Groups are always quickly full.
Follow up by faculties and study programmes
In the coming period, the results of the NSE will be discussed by programme committees, in which students and lecturers come together to talk about how their education can be improved. The results will then be analysed by faculty quality assurance staff before being prepared for the study programmes themselves. The results will be available through the Education Dashboard. Thereafter, faculties and study programmes will let their students and lecturers know which points (for improvement) emerged from the NSE for their programmes, and how these will be addressed.
Want to know more?
You can view all Leiden University’s scores for the NSE's core topics, as well as the national averages for Dutch universities, in this fact sheet. Or take a look how your programme did in the NSE Dashboard.
The NSE isn’t the only tool we employ for the improvement of our education. We also use course and study programme evaluations as well as feedback from student and staff participation bodies. On the basis of the input we receive from all these sources, we are able to examine what is going well in terms of our education and what might need more attention.
Photo: Anna Loh