Student Learning Surveys

What are Student Learning Surveys?

The Student Learning Surveys (SLS) seek students’ perceptions of their learning experiences in subjects taught at the University of Melbourne. Approved by the Academic Board, these instruments assist in the continuous quality improvement process for subjects.

The SLS consists of two parts

1. The mid subject survey (MSS) - the questions, design, status of responses and overall coordination is at the discretion of the subject coordinator.
2. The end of subject survey (ESS) - which is anonymous, and allows students to respond to specific questions as well as provide general feedback on each of their subjects, towards the end of teaching and before their final assessment.

The SLS has two major purposes

1. To offer students the opportunity to provide feedback on their learning, with the aim of improving the quality of subject offerings and teaching.
2. At department, faculty and institutional level, to monitor the quality of the University's subject and course offerings and student learning.

Survey results are used in a number of ways

1. MSS and ESS results are used by Subject Coordinators or other teaching staff responsible for a subject, to monitor the student experience and to understand what students perceive as subject strengths and weaknesses.
2. ESS results are used by department heads and Deans to monitor the quality of subjects offered through their departments and faculties, giving them the opportunity to take action to remedy a problem or congratulate those associated with high 'performing' subjects, and also to ensure students are given feedback on survey outcomes.
3. ESS results are used at University level, to monitor the overall quality of teaching and learning.