Student Academic Experience Survey 2022

The Student Academic Experience Survey 2022 (SAES), developed in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), shows the expectations, perceptions and experiences of full-time undergraduate students in higher education between 9 February 2022 and 21 March 2022.

Key findings from this year's SAES include:

• In the wake of a return to face-to-face teaching across much of the UK, students this year are significantly more likely to feel they experienced good value.
• This year’s survey highlights how differing Government guidance across the four parts of the UK may have impacted the student experience, with the results reflecting concerns about the level of face-to-face teaching in Scotland in particular.
• There has also been an increase in the numbers of students whose experience exceeded their expectations, but this remains below the levels recorded in 2019 pre-pandemic.
• Analysis of open comments identified assessment and feedback as the single area where students would most like their experience to be improved.
• For many students, wellbeing concerns increased during the pandemic. Anxiety levels continue to be high and have only recovered slightly compared to last year.
• In regards to free speech issues, just over two out of three students feel that they experience a range of different views on their campus and within their curriculum, and that they feel comfortable expressing their views. However, Black students are significantly less likely to feel their curriculum is diverse or that they experience a sense of belonging.

Access the full findings in the report below.