Fewer and fewer students report experiencing excessive academic pressure, according to the National Student Survey. In addition, three-quarters of them are generally satisfied with their study programme. TU Delft students are, on average, slightly more satisfied with their study programme than the national average.
(Photo: Sinan Keleştemur)
For the National Student Survey (NSS), 248,000 students completed a questionnaire this spring, nearly one-third of all students in higher education. The survey, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, is used by prospective students and educational institutions to compare and improve study programmes.
Around 75 percent of higher education students say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their study programme. That share has been rising for several years: during the COVID-19 pandemic, five years ago, it stood at 71.5 percent.
Positive about the atmosphere
Students are particularly positive about the atmosphere within their study programme. About 80 percent rate it as good. Three-quarters are also satisfied with the content of their programme. In addition, students often feel at home in their programme and feel safe to be themselves.
There is, however, a difference between university and university of applied sciences students. University students are more positive in their assessments. This time, 82 percent of university students say they are satisfied, compared with 70 percent of students at universities of applied sciences.
TU Delft: study facilities receive the highest scores
- TU Delft students are, on average, slightly more satisfied with their study programme than the national average. On a five-point scale, 6,475 respondents rate overall satisfaction at 4.0. The nationally weighted average is 3.8.
- However, TU students are considerably less positive about how well their programme aligns with professional practice. A total of 5,146 respondents give this an average score of 3.4, compared with a national average of 3.6.
- Information provision from the programme is rated positively. Here, 6,363 students give a score of 3.9, while the national average is 3.6.
- Study facilities receive the highest scores. These are also assessed by 6,363 respondents, with an average score of 4.1, compared with 3.9 nationally. Bachelor’s students are slightly more positive (4.2) than master’s students (4.1).
- The dashboard with institutional scores does not show how individual universities and universities of applied sciences score on study pressure. According to a spokesperson, this is because the question on workload has a different structure and response scale than the other questions. So-called institutional datasets would, however, include this information. NSE contacts at TU Delft are also expected to have access to such a dataset. Delta is currently following up on this. Information on academic workload for individual TU Delft programmes can be found via this link to Studiekeuze123.
Study pressure
Notably, the share of students who experience excessive study pressure has declined. In 2021, around 38 per cent of students reported this, compared with 31 percent this year. University students experience slightly more pressure than students in universities of applied sciences.
Teacher education programmes are perceived as the most demanding: nearly half of students there say the workload is too high. Economics students report the least pressure, with only 24 percent experiencing it as too high.
The focus should shift from study success to student success
The Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO) says further improvements are needed. Board member and former TU Delft student Sam de Jong stresses that student wellbeing should be viewed more broadly. “A good atmosphere is an important starting point for being able to study well, but we now need to ensure that this academic pressure on students is further reduced.”
According to ISO, the focus should shift from study success to student success. In this view, studying is not only about earning credits, but also about personal development. “This change cannot come from lecturers and programmes alone. Good guidance within the programme is essential,” he adds.
Teaching quality
Students are generally satisfied with their lecturers, although university students are more positive than those in universities of applied sciences. Nearly 90 percent of university students say their lecturers are subject-matter experts. In higher professional education, this figure is around 75 percent.
Five years ago, students rated teaching expertise slightly higher: 92 percent (university) and 80 percent (university of applied sciences) said lecturers were knowledgeable at the time.
Assessment criteria not always clear
Students see room for improvement in assessment and grading. Fewer than 60 percent are satisfied. Some students feel feedback on assignments and exams could be improved. Others say assessment criteria are not always clearly defined.
In addition, students sometimes feel insufficiently prepared for their future careers. This is more common among university students: nearly a quarter say their programme does not sufficiently align with their future professional path.
HOP, Naomi Bergshoeff
HOP
Hoger Onderwijs Persbureau
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