Trends in the quality of the student experience: an international perspective based on studies in three universities.

The trends in student experience in higher education have significantly changed in the last decade. The changing pattern of student participation with large proportion of students in full time or part time employment while also studying, growing student diversity, the use of ICT and flexible modes of learning and the demand for work integrated learning which allows students to undertake practicum’s while studying is playing a key role in the changing trend in student experience. Research in student experience and satisfaction has mostly looked at individual institutions and national results on student satisfaction. There is limited research on what students see as most important in various institutions with different cohort of students which may improve student engagement, retention and improvement in student satisfaction. This paper reviews the trend in student experience in three universities that have been using student satisfaction surveys for more than a decade with diverse student groups. The study is based on two Australian and one United Kingdom University (UK). The paper reports that student experience and high satisfaction is based on five interrelated factors including: adequate and reliable learning infrastructure and resources, quality of teaching staff, course design which enables student attainment of generic skills, quality management of student assessments and issues around administrative matters such as timetabling, admissions and enrolments. The findings of this study informs the predictors of student satisfaction which if effectively managed and improved by universities could result in improved student engagement, retention and student satisfaction.