Pre-arrival surveys make it possible to meet students where they are
The impact of pre-arrival surveys in higher education
As a survey and insights solution provider to more than 60 universities across the UK and Ireland, evasys surveys are used for a diverse range of survey types, from module evaluation through staff surveys to institution-level surveys.
evasys is being used with increasing frequency to carry out pre-arrival surveys with students about to embark upon their university journey. What has instigated this upward trend? A growing awareness within the HE sector that understanding more about the new student cohort in advance of their arrival provides the opportunity to implement any changes necessary to give them the best chance of success during their university experience – and provides the ability to engage with UF applicants as individuals and respond to their specific expectations and concerns, thus increasing their likelihood of arriving, staying and succeeding.
In a recent blog from Wonkhe, ‘Pre-arrival surveys make it possible to meet students where they are’, Associate Editor Sunday Blake spoke to several evasys clients – and evasys MD Bruce Johnson – about the benefits and outcomes of implementing pre-arrival surveys for new students.
Contributors and key quotes
The recent piece on pre-arrival surveys published by Wonkhe details different approaches by a range of experts, who all offered personal insights in addition to wider details of the initiatives undertaken and the results achieved.
“I realised that to impact the metrics at the end and to support retention, progression and success we had to go back to the start of the journey to understand the factors that could impact on a poor experience upon entry.”
Dr Michelle Morgan, University of East London“We start to develop a relationship with them in those summer months after they have finished their exams. They want to know more about Portsmouth and have some desire to become part of our community. They’re keen to do things that help them prepare for university. So we get them involved with some online resources and two online courses.”
Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, University of Buckingham“We are building a model to ensure we intervene early. We use data insights to anticipate when and where challenges will come.”
Emily McIntosh , University of the West of Scotland“The pre-arrival questionnaire seeks information beyond what students might assume their institutions already have from their UCAS application. We think that many students will be willing to share additional details if the institution communicates a genuine commitment to supporting their transition to university, rather than merely fulfilling a marketing requirement.”
Bruce Johnson, evasys
And if you’d like to chat about using evasys for pre-arrival surveys, or would like to book a demo, please just get in touch.
