Sweet home: Accommodation rated highly in the student satisfaction survey.
Domestic students are overwhelmingly happy with the University of Waikato, scoring it highly in terms of learning, living, support and arrival on campus, according to a new student satisfaction survey.
The survey, of 3257 domestic students – or 37% of the domestic student population - included those who study on campus along with distance learners. The survey was carried out earlier this year and found satisfaction levels high across a range of areas.
The Hamilton campus provided more than 90% of respondents, with the remainder studying in Tauranga.
Very satisfied students
The survey found 93% of students were either satisfied or very satisfied overall with the university.
This compares favourably with a similar survey of international students in 2013 which found a 94% overall satisfaction rate.
Quality teaching at Waikato
Teaching quality scored highly, as did the campus environment, accommodation and overall support.
Other notable highlights included the expertise of the lecturers, class sizes, an eco-friendly attitude, disability support, enrolment office and Faculty support.
Areas of opportunity
However, several areas for improvement were also identified.
These included careers advice and work experience, the ability to earn money while studying, on campus catering and internet access.
Head of Student and Academic Services, Michelle Jordan-Tong, says many of the areas identified for improvement had already been recognised by the University, “so it was good to see we are on the same page as the students”.
Improvement in progress
“We have recently developed a new Career Development Services team, which is working across the University to support Faculties with internships and career initiatives. We have also made internet access free and unlimited (subject to fair use provisions) for all students, including the Halls of Residence, from next year.”
The survey will be repeated in 2015 for both international and domestic students, so students will have further opportunities to provide feedback.