Surveys
Feedback from students and graduates helps us to keep improving.
Various surveys are used to ensure and continuously improve the quality of study and teaching at Ostfalia. In order to ensure the sustainable optimisation of teaching quality, we carry out the surveys at different points in the course of studies. This gives us an overview of the satisfaction, stress and needs of our students throughout their degree programme and beyond.
Overview
Firstly, all students start with the First Semester Survey. Here, questions are mainly asked about the choice of study programme and the start of their studies. This is usually followed by a Student Survey during the study programme, which includes an assessment of the study conditions, information on perceived stress and how well the study programme meets expectations. Throughout the entire study programme, we collect feedback from students on the courses they have attended in the Course Evaluations . At the time of the Graduate Exit Survey, memories of the study programme are still fresh, so we mainly want to know how the study programme is assessed in retrospect. The last survey ist the Graduate Survey. In this survey, we are particularly interested in how successful the career entry was and in which professions our graduates are working.
University Development and Quality Management Team
How we ensure the quality of teaching
To the Team
Details of the surveys
First Semester Survey
Goals
The main aim of the First Semester Survey is to find out which sources of information are used to select a study programme, why Ostfalia was chosen and how the start at Ostfalia went.
Realisation
The First Semester Survey is carried out shortly after the start of the programme. A standardised university-wide questionnaire is used for this purpose. The faculties organise the implementation.
Student Survey
Goals
Ostfalia regularly takes part in the “Studierendenbefragung in Deutschland” (Student Survey in Germany). This is carried out by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW). The aim of this nationwide survey is to gain a representative picture of the situation of all students in Germany. The social and economic situation of students, as well as their different educational, career and life paths, are of particular interest. The responses should form an important basis for national and international education reporting and thus contribute to improving the situation of students throughout Germany.
Further information of the DZHW (external link, opens in a new window)
Realisation
The Student Survey took place for the first time in 2021 and will be conducted again in 2025. The invitations will be sent out by Ostfalia. The collection and processing of the data is carried out by the DZHW.
Results
The overall results of the 2021 survey across all participating universities are presented in the 22nd Social Survey (external link, opens in a new window) (German).
Graduate Exit Survey
Goals
In the Graduate Exit Survey, we are particularly interested in the retrospective evaluation of the study programme. What was good, what could have been better? We also want to know whether the graduates were able to complete their studies within the standard period of study and how the transition to a job went.
Realisation
All graduates are invited directly after successfully completing their study programme. A standardised university-wide questionnaire is used and the data is analysed centrally. The results are made available to the faculties.
Graduate Survey
Goals
We want our graduates to be as well prepared as possible for their careers as a result of their studies. In the Graduate Survey, we ask whether we have succeeded in doing this. We also want to know how satisfied our graduates are with their careers, how successful their entry into the profession was and what career paths they have taken. In this survey, we are also interested in whether the graduates were satisfied with their studies at Ostfalia and would recommend us to others.
Realisation
All graduates are invited 1-2 years after completing their study programme. The survey is conducted centrally as part of the “Kooperationsprojekt Absolventenstudien” (Cooperation Project Graduate Studies; KOAB) with over 80 participating universities. It is carried out in cooperation with the “Institut für angewandte Statistik” (Institute for Applied Statistics; istat). If the respondents agree, they will be contacted by istat for a further survey approx. 7 years after graduation.
A standardised university-wide questionnaire is used and the data is analysed centrally. The results are made available to the faculties. The results are used both at the university and for scientific publications.
Information on the KOAB project on the istat website (external link, opens in a new window)
FAQ for graduates on the istat website (external link, opens in a new window)
further information on data protection (PDF, 111.54 KB) (opens in a new window), (not accessible) (German)
Course Evaluation
Goals
In the Course Evaluation, we ask students for feedback on the individual courses. This gives our lecturers direct feedback on their courses and the opportunity to continuously improve their teaching.
Realisation
The procedure for Course Evaluation is regulated by the Ostfalia Evaluation Regulations (German) (PDF, 145.98 KB) (opens in a new window), (not accessible). Students are asked to evaluate each course they attend. The implementation is coordinated by the faculties. A standardised university-wide questionnaire is used, which can, however, be supplemented with faculty-specific questions. The results are used by the teaching staff, deans of studies and also at Presidential Board level to continuously develop teaching at Ostfalia.