Surveys
National Student Surveys (NSS)
The results of the National Student Survey, plus other Teaching Quality Information (TQI) data are available on the Unistats site. NSS results for Economics are available here.
The Economics Network is happy to provide support for departments which would like to improve their NSS score. Our Student Focus Group Scheme allows you to further investigate student attitudes and is available at no charge. We have facilitated nine focus groups during 2009/10 and are currently working on summarising the emerging themes.
The Key contacts conference 2009 included a presentation by Prof. Alison Wride (Exeter University) on Improving your National Student Survey scores.
Economics Network Surveys
The Economics Network conducts regular surveys to research the current state of teaching and learning in Economics Higher Education in the UK. They inform our support role and give a voice to the HE Economics community.
We only publish national results, recognising that the data must not be used for league tables. For the student surveys, departments receive their own confidential report, which they can then compare to the national picture.
National Surveys of Economics Lecturers
Results of the 2009 lecturers survey are now available. The main objective of this survey is to clarify current practices and issues of concern to Economics lecturers and their students, as well as provide the Economics Network and those who fund us with information about how economics lecturers use our services and what impact it has on their teaching.
A summary of staff and student perspectives on eLearning (PDF) from previous lecturer and student surveys has been prepared.
In previous surveys, lecturers reported a lack of support and positive incentives from their departments for teaching innovation. Despite this, they are making changes to their teaching methodology, although "chalk and talk" remains dominant.
Previous lecturer surveys: 2009 | 2007 | 2005 | 2003 | 2001
Alumni Survey (Economics Graduates)
The Economics Network conducts surveys of alumni, to investigate the knowledge and skills acquired in an Economics degree and their relevance to their job and career.
Our latest survey of alumni ran until December 2008. The results can be read either in an executive summary or a full report. Bian Chen from University of York, Alexis Adams of the University of East Anglia and Allan Jackson of Newcastle University were randomly selected to win a cheque for £100.
The previous Alumni survey was conducted in 2004. National aggregate results can be downloaded in PDF format, and will help us better understand the links between curriculum, learning experiences and career outcomes.
National Surveys of Economics Students
The 2010 survey of economics students has now finished and the results are being analysed. Thanks to tall 2056 respondents. Three randomly-chosen respondents each received an iPod Touch: Liya Fateh of Queen Mary, University of London; Elvira Medikhanova of the University of Essex and Emily Masching of University of St. Andrews. The report will appear later in the year on this page.
An executive summary and full report for the 2008 survey are available. Individual departmental reports have also been sent out.
In surveys so far, the quality and enthusiasm of the teaching staff emerged as a main determinant of the quality of the student experience. Economics itself came in for a great deal of praise as an interesting and challenging subject. The students have also shown a demand for active involvement in learning.
Previous student surveys: 2008 | 2006 | 2004 | 2002
Employability Survey 2006/07
This project, funded jointly by the Economics Network and the Royal Economic Society, was conducted by the ASQM consultancy unit at the University of the West of England and attempted to understand employers' requirements of economics graduates, to establish whether they think these graduates generally possess the required skills and knowledge and to reveal any clear shortfalls in order to inform the UK economics academic community. Read A summary of the results (PDF) or the full report "The Skills and Knowledge of the Graduate Economist" (PDF).
National Survey of Economics Departments 2001
Our first survey gave a national overview of teaching practice, involving 40 department contacts. The responses showed the rate of use of various teaching and assessment styles and technologies. A short summary of the results is available.