Authors

• University of Tampere. University Services

Keywords

educational grants, employment, higher education institutions, living abroad, student loans, students (college), training, undergraduates

Abstract

The survey, conducted by the University of Tampere for its third-year students in 2007, examines progress with studies, minor subjects, working during studies, financial circumstances, planning of studies, and studies and internship abroad.

Studies were first charted by asking the respondents which educational institution and field of study they primarily wanted to be accepted into when they applied and to what extent they agreed with a number of statements relating to studies and study progress (e.g. "University studies have met my expectations", "I have progressed in my studies according to my plans"). Things that had negatively affected progress of studies were charted.

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. 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").

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.

Regarding employment, the respondents were asked whether they had worked during studies, 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").

Studies and internships abroad were surveyed by asking the respondents whether they had or were going to study or do an internship abroad and to what extent they agreed with statements relating to the usefulness of studies and internship abroad (e.g. "Studies/internship abroad improves one's language skills").

Background variables included, among others, the respondent's age, gender, field of study, school (faculty), number of credits, and length of internship/studies abroad.