Student Feedback

Feedback from our students on programs, courses and teaching helps us constantly improve the quality of the university experience. Student feedback enables us to make positive changes to our teaching practices and ensures we deliver programs that meet all students' expectations.

Survey Information for Staff

Internal Student Surveys

Students will be asked to provide confidential feedback in the following internal surveys. Further details on these surveys can also be found in the Survey Register.

Course Experience Survey (CES)

At the University of Newcastle, enhancing the student experience and satisfaction is a key strategic priority. One way we achieve this is by addressing issues raised in student feedback.

The Strategy, Planning and Performance (SPP) team administers the Course Experience Survey (CES) to gather student insights on their experiences in individual courses. The CES covers:

  • All course types – onshore, offshore, semester, trimester, and seasonal (Summer/Winter) courses.
  • Non-standard coursework – including career-ready placement courses (4+ weeks of placement), Honours/major project courses, and overseas/out-of-area experiences.

Ongoing student feedback helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring a high-quality learning experience.

How the CES Works

Students first provide feedback on their course as a whole. They can then select specific teachers to evaluate, answering a series of questions related to their teaching.

What Changed?

The CES replaced the Student Feedback on Courses (SFC) and Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT) surveys in 2020. It also incorporates all WIL/placement courses, which were previously evaluated through the Unique Delivery Survey.

By refining our feedback processes, we aim to better support continuous improvement in teaching and learning at the University of Newcastle.

RESOURCES:

CES Hub -  Resources for Staff

Student Feedback on the University of Newcastle (SFUN)

The Student Feedback on the University of Newcastle (SFUN) survey is an annual opportunity for students to provide feedback on their experience outside the classroom.

The survey is open to Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Higher Degree by Research (HDR), and Enabling students across Callaghan, Central Coast, Sydney, and online campuses, and is typically launched each year in March.

SFUN focuses on the non-academic aspects of university life, including:

  • Health and wellbeing services
  • Timetabling and transport
  • Campus events and social opportunities
  • University communication and student support ...and more

If you're a staff member who is also studying at the University, your feedback is especially valuable. You bring a unique perspective that helps us improve the student experience for a diverse range of learners.

By participating in SFUN, you can highlight what’s working well and suggest areas where change is needed. Your feedback directly informs service improvements and strategic planning across UON.

External Student Surveys

Throughout the year, students may also be asked to complete the following external surveys:

Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)

The Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) is an annual, national census of newly qualified graduates in Australia. Students graduating from the University of Newcastle are invited to complete this survey approximately four months after completing their program.

Student Experience Survey (SES)

The Student Experience Survey (SES) is the only comprehensive survey of current higher education students in Australia. The survey is designed to collect information that will help both higher education institutions and the government improve teaching and learning outcomes, and reports on multiple facets of the student experience.

The SES is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.