According to the education development survey, Xamk encourages students to take responsibility for their studies and students are treated equally.
Xamk students evaluate their education in an annual education development survey. The information collected through this survey is used to develop the education, study counselling and students’ self-steering, the learning environment, and the work atmosphere.
According to the survey results, Xamk encourages students to take responsibility for their own studies. Work atmosphere is good, and students are treated equally.
Results for the bachelor’s degree studies
The number of respondents totaled 639, and there was no major change in the results compared to the last year.
The best result of the survey was that Xamk encouraged students to take responsibility for their studies. The result for this statement was better than last year. The alternative “Very well” was chosen in 49 percent of the responses.
Also the result for the statement “the students are treated equally” was positive. The alternative “Very well” was chosen in 44 percent of the responses. There were no major differences between degree programmes. In addition, many students were very satisfied with the learning environment and work atmosphere and wanted to mention it in the open feedback.
The return to contact teaching after the worst corona pandemic situation has slightly changed the availability of online studies. Students still have good opportunities to study online, but the number of online studies available has slightly decreased compared to the previous year. The change in the situation also came up in students’ answers to the open-ended questions as hopes for more spaces for studying independently and in groups on the campuses. Student opinion was especially clear in terms of the following: If they have applied for studies arranged as contact teaching, that’s how they should be able to study.
Students found it harder than last year to complete their studies while working. The result was exceptionally good last year and has now returned to the previous level.
Many students were very satisfied with study guidance and counselling. This was a clear strength in the open feedback. A total of 42 students praised study guidance and counselling, although there was also need for even more study guidance meetings and counselling.
According to the survey, entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurship could be better incorporated in the studies and relationships with the world of work intensified. Also international activities should receive more attention in the education. However, the results had improved from the previous year. There were a lot of differences between degree programmes.
The statement “Entrepreneurial skills and the importance of having an entrepreneurial attitude are emphasized in the studies” received most ratings with “Very poorly”. That was the case in 6 percent of the responses.
One of the survey’s lower results was for the statement “the studies offer close relations with the world of work”. However, the result had improved from the previous year. Also students’ open feedback responses showed the need for improving relations with the world of work and related skills. The most typical response for the statement “I get support in my international goals and activities” was the alternative “I don’t know”, which was chosen in 22 percent of the cases.
The following bachelor’s degree programmes received the best total means in the survey:
- Digital International Business, Kouvola
- Physiotherapy, Savonlinna
- Logistics (Bachelor of Engineering), Kotka
- Game Programming, Kotka
- Civic Activities and Youth Work, Kouvola
- Civic Activities and Youth Work, Mikkeli
Also last year the results for the Civic Activities and Youth Work in Kouvola and Game Programming in Kotka were among the best ones.
Results for the master’s degree studies
The number of respondents for the survey on master’s degree studies totaled 162. The results were more positive than for the bachelor’s degree studies and in the same level compared to the previous year.
The flexibility of studies is emphasized in the master’s degree studies. It is possible to complete the degree as online studies and alongside work. Students found in this year’s survey that they were treated equally and encouraged to take responsibility for their studies.
The student responses to all these statements had the best median, which was five.
- I have been able to include online courses in my studies.
- In my degree programme, the students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies.
- The students are treated equally.
- I have been able to study alongside my work.
Students can get study guidance and counselling when needed. For the statement “I can get study guidance and counselling when needed” the median was also five.
Students had gained more information about RPL than earlier. The results for the statement “I have received sufficient information about recognition of prior learning (RLP)” had improved the most compared to the previous year.
As in the previous years, the lowest results related to internationality and entrepreneurship. The results had further decreased compared to the previous year. The medians for the statements “I get support in my international goals and activities” and “entrepreneurial skills and the importance of having an entrepreneurial attitude are emphasized in the studies” were three.
The following master’s degree programmes received the best total means in the survey:
- Development and Management of Emergency Care, Kotka
- Information Management and Digital Archiving, Mikkeli
- Development of Youth Education, Mikkeli
The Degree Programme in Development of Youth Education was also last year’ best degree programme in this survey.
Questions were statements and the rating scale was as follows: 1 = Very poorly, 2 = Quite poorly, 3 = Not well or poorly, 4 = Quite well, 5 = Very well and the answer option Cannot say that was not included when calculating median scores.
More information is provided by Marjaana Kivelä Quality Manager.