Data show that the experience of COVID-19 restrictions disrupted a level of consistency over time for indicators of student engagement.

Over the last six years, 232,450 students have completed StudentSurvey.ie (the Irish Survey of Student Engagement; Suirbhé na hÉireann ar Rannpháirtíocht na Mac Léinn), each answering over 60 questions about their experiences of higher education. For the first time, results of student feedback over this six year period have been made available in an interactive format on a new StudentSurvey.ie microsite - the StudentSurvey.ie Trends Over Time Research 20216-2021. The analysis over the period 2016 to 2021 shows a level of consistency in student feedback for the years 2016 to 2020 and a significant drop in scores for the year 2021.

This new website also collates examples from higher education institutions showing how they have used the StudentSurvey.ie feedback to introduce facilities and opportunities for students to improve their overall experience. The potential use of the survey is vast, and the case studies describe actions like informing programme design and provision of student facilities, such as the library. Finally, the new analysis includes an overview of results of similar surveys in 10 other countries which have been brought together for the first time to provide an international context for the Irish survey results.

This rich and accessible microsite is available HERE, while the Key Messages can be found HERE.

For further information please contact:

Róisín O’Connell, Head of Communications, THEA: (087) 9193333 [email protected]