Student survey being conducted for the second time

English translation of the FAU student survey makes it easier for international students to participate

The FAU student survey ‘FAU-St’ is being conducted for the second time. Starting on 10 January, students are invited to share their opinions of study conditions at the University. This year’s survey focuses on courses taught in foreign languages, teaching degree programmes, how degree programmes prepare students for their careers, administration of examinations, orientation for new students, and how stays abroad and internships are integrated into degree programmes. The results of FAU-St 2016 showed that these areas have particular potential for further development.

A comprehensive redesign of the annual FAU student survey carried out by the Office of Teaching Quality Assurance last year in close collaboration with the students’ representatives ensured that the questions were better adapted to participating students’ individual situations. The changes paid off: the number of participants increased by almost 5000 in the 2016 survey.

FAU-St also available in English for the first time

‘The increase in the number of participating students is a positive signal,’ says Professor Friedrich Paulsen, FAU’s Vice President for Teaching and Learning. ‘We hope that the trend will continue in 2017 and that even more students will participate so that we will have reliable and detailed feedback about study conditions to work with.’ In an important step towards achieving this goal, the survey has been translated into English for the first time this year, making it more accessible for international students.

The results of the survey will be used at all levels of the University to reflect on what is on offer and how it can be improved. The Executive Board, the Committees for Teaching and Studying, the degree programme co-ordinators, the University Administration, the Centre for Teacher Education and the Innovation in Learning Institute will all receive targeted feedback and analyses. ‘The higher the number of participants, the greater the chance that we will be able to take into account and implement student feedback in crucial processes,’ Vice President Paulsen explains.

When does it start?

Students will receive an e-mail inviting them to participate in the survey on 10 January 2017. The survey will be open until 12 February 2017. The final report on the results will be published on OPUS FAU in June 2017. The final reports on FAU-St 2016 and previous student surveys conducted under the name ‘FAU Panel’ are also available on OPUS FAU (in German).

If you have any questions or comments about the FAU student survey, please contact Nicole Scherber (phone: +49 9131 8521197) or Dr. Christopher Schmidt (phone: +49 9131 8524172) or send an e-mail to evaluation@fau.de.