Tampere University has conducted student experience surveys annually since 2004. FSD collections contain data from 2004 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023. Archiving of the series has been discontinued. The surveys gather information on progress in, satisfaction, and problems with studies. Student feedback is used to improve the quality of education. The respondents are students from different annual courses at Tampere University.
The surveys contain both repeated and changing modules. The surveys cover for example the respondents' attachment to the university, what it had been like to start studying their course and factors supporting or hampering these processes. Other themes are study progress, work, completing the degree and future plans. Internet surveys are conducted by the student services of Tampere University.
The survey, conducted by the University of Tampere for its third-year students in 2006, examines progress with studies, minor subjects, working during studies, financial circumstances, and planning of studies.
Studies were first charted by asking the respondents whether they were studying full-time and to what extent they agreed with a number of statements relating to studies and study progress (e.g. "Studies in the University have met my expectations", "I have progressed in my studies according to my plans"). With regard to minor subjects, a number of statements were presented (e.g. "I choose my minor subject(s) based on my own interests", "Recommendations from other students have an effect on my choices"). Things that had negatively affected progress of studies were charted as well as whether enough alternative methods to complete courses were provided.
Views on own education and field of study were surveyed (e.g. "I believe employers will appreciate my education"). Planning of studies was studied with questions about support received from the university when planning studies and own initiative in searching for information supporting planning. Relating to employment, the respondents were asked whether they had worked during the academic year, which field and sector they had worked in, and to what extent they agreed with several statements related to working during studies (e.g. "Studying and working at the same time is very stressful", "I work because I want to avoid taking a student loan", "Working takes up time needed for studies", "I don't work because I want to graduate as soon as possible").
Relating to grants and benefits, the respondents were asked questions about financial aid for students (which comprises study grant, student loan, and housing supplement). Questions probed, among others, the number of months the respondents had spent out of their eligibility period for financial aid, whether they thought the remaining months would suffice until graduation, whether they had taken a student loan and how much, and whether they had avoided taking a student loan for some reason.
Background variables included, among others, the respondent's age, gender, field of study, school (faculty), number of credits, and length of internship/studies abroad.
The survey was emailed to all third-year students in the University of Tampere, who had enrolled as 'present' for the spring semester 2006. Email addresses were obtained from the student register. Time to respond was approximately two weeks. Responses to the survey were received from 451 students.