Students rate their experience positively
92% of students rated their Essex experience positively, the same score as this time last year. We know from previous years that this score tends to decline as students get further into their studies, and experience the stresses that accompany student life.
belonging REMAINS POSITIVE
79% of students felt they belonged at Essex - a 2 % decrease compared to this point last year, but a 4% increase when compared to the Welcome survey. While still broadly positive, this pattern reflects how students’ sense of belonging evolves as they move beyond Welcome and into the realities of term-time.
university NPS rising
Essex’s Net Promoter Score (NPS), which shows how likely students are to recommend The University of Essex, fell 10 points compared to this point last year. However, this is still classes as a ‘good’ rating.
Students who would recommend Essex feel academically engaged and socially settled.
Those who wouldn’t mentioned recurring frustrations rather than disengagement. Key issues: teaching and organisation, accommodation and cost, communication and support, and belonging.
opportunity to increase engagement
75% agreed they could engage with opportunities at Essex. No change on the previous year. Whilst it’s positive, it highlights room for improvement for the quarter of students who disagreed.
anxiety remains an issue
When asked if there were barriers to engaging with opportunities, anxiety remains the highest reason given, closely followed by expensive travel and timetable clashes.