National Student Survey (NSE)

What is the NSE?

The NSE is a large-scale annual survey that invites nearly all higher education students in the Netherlands to give their views about the various aspects of their learning experience.

What topics does the NSE cover?

The NSE is a wide-ranging survey on the various aspects of your learning experience, such as the content of your degree programme; your teachers; information provision by your programme; learning and study facilities; study load; and assessment and grading.

Why should I take part in the NSE?

The NSE is a key feedback tool for Utrecht University. By taking part in the NSE, you help us improve the academic experience for our current and future students.

When can I complete the NSE?

On Thursday January 19, an email from noreply@nse.nl will be sent to your UU email address with a link to the survey. Tip: complete the survey straight away! You will continue to receive reminders every 2 weeks until you completed the survey. The survey will be open until Sunday 12 March 2023.

How long does it take to complete the survey?

The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Can I save the survey halfway through and come back to it later?

Yes, you can. You reclick the link and continue where you left off.

Can I complete the survey on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, you can.

Can I also complete the survey anonymously?

By completing the NSE you also give Studiekeuze123 permission to process your answers into anonymized data files. These are necessary for the research. As a person you cannot be traced in these files.

Utrecht University only receives these anonymized data files. Your individual answers will therefore never reach teachers and will never be used to disadvantage you.

What should I do if I do not receive an invitation email?

Only those students whose main enrolment is with Utrecht University will be invited to take part in the NSE. Does this apply to you and did the invitation email not get spam-binned? Then go to www.nse.nl, where you can ask to resend your personal link. You will be asked for your UU address (which ends with @students.uu.nl). You will receive your personal link to this address. If that also does not work, then please contact student@nse.nl.

What will Utrecht University do with the NSE results?

Using your feedback, we decide which areas to focus on in the year to come. So, by taking part in the survey, you are making a direct contribution to improving the quality of your programme.

What did Utrecht University do with NSE results in former years?
Your opinion matters! Based on the survey results, Utrecht University will take action to improve the quality of your learning experience. Your answers to the NSS questionnaire actually led to improvements by UU and by your study program. Due to the results from the NSS 2022, plans are being made to:

• Make your study more in line with the labour market, so that you can start your career better.
• Realize a lower work and study pressure.
• To improve the method of testing.

For what other purposes are the NSE results used?

The NSE results are used by organisations such as Studiekeuze123.nl and Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs to provide programme information to incoming students. The Best Degree Programmes Elsevier Guide is also based on NSE data.

What do I get for completing the survey?

A chance to win:

• 1 x Apple MacBook Air (worth €1,129)
• 4 x Sony noise cancelling headphones (worth €380,-)
• 3x Logitech mouse and keyboard (worth €218,-)
• 400 x Bol.com voucher (worth €25,-)
• 1 x 1 year statutory tuition fee (worth €2,209,-)

Once all responses are processed, the winners will be selected at random from the list of all participants. Winners will be notified via email.

Utrecht University further distributes the following prizes among participating students:

• 1x giftcard worth €500,-
• 1x giftcard worth € 250, -
• 5x giftcards worth €50, -

These gift cards can be converted online to a gift card of your choice.

Who commissions the NSE?

The NSE falls under the responsibility of Stichting Studiekeuze123. Stichting Studiekeuze123 was initiated by the Council for Universities of Applied Sciences, the Dutch Council for Training and Education, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands and the student organisations LSVb and ISO; it thus represents the entire higher education sector in the Netherlands.

Who administers the NSE?

The NSE is administered by research provider MWM2.

When will the survey results be available?

The NSE 2023 results will be posted via www.nse.nl (Dutch) at the end on 30 May 2022