Ontario College Student Experience Survey

 

To learn how to access your student surveys, click here.

What is the Ontario College Student Experience Survey?

For many years the provincial government conducted an Ontario college system-wide KPI Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey to all students registered in Full-Time programs. This was an important survey that gathered student feedback. The data Algonquin collected was used to ensure we maintained the high standard of reputation in our community (and with employers); it identified areas, services, learning tools and engagements that students were satisfied with, and it helped the college set goals on programs, services, buildings and equipment. This college system-wide survey was discontinued in 2019.

In 2020, the Ontario College Student Survey Steering Committee was established to oversee redevelopment process. Through the collective efforts of Ontario Colleges and the steering committee, a new, modernized, online survey that will allow for continuous improvement across each college and allow for system level benchmarking of outcomes has been established.

This survey is administered using standardized procedures to ensure a consistent, objective approach and to yield survey results that are reliable, comparable and verifiable. Beginning in February 2022, all Ontario college’s launched the Ontario College Student Experience Survey (OCSES).

To learn how to access your student surveys, click here.

About the Survey

Who Takes the Survey?

All students enrolled in postsecondary programs of instruction EXCEPT for:

  • students who are enrolled in Apprenticeship programs
  • students who are registered in their first semester of their program of instruction
  • students who are registered as part-time students and are NOT pursuing a certificated, diploma or an applied degree

Students that fall into one of the categories above will be asked to complete a separate survey.

Why Take the Survey?

Share your perspectives about your experience at Algonquin College to inform programming and services AND be entered into a draw for one of the following:

  • 1 of 3 $500 credit to your student account OR
  • 1 of 5 $200 gift card of your choice OR
  • 1 of 5 $100 gift card of your choice

Additionally, we will have a weekly draw for 1 of 3 Algonquin College Sweaters from January 29th to February 16th, 2024.

Students names will be randomly drawn for one of the 22 incentives noted above. Odds of being selected depend on the number of surveys completed. Selected students will be informed via their AlgonquinLive.com email address.

What Will I be Asked?

The OCSES is comprised of three mandatory and one optional module that ask questions related to:

  • Teaching & Learning Quality
  • Program Related Knowledge
  • Work Integrated Learning
  • Student Services and Resources (Optional)

The three mandatory modules were developed with a focus on program quality and the standards outlined by Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) and College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP)

How Long is the Survey?

The survey consists of up to 25 questions using a 5 point response scale, and where applicable open text. You should allocate approximately 10 minutes to complete it.

When does the Survey Take Place?

The formal survey window for all Ontario college’s is a specified three-week period in February each year. The upcoming winter 2024 survey will be conducted from January 29th to February 16th, 2024. Colleges may choose to administer an ‘advanced survey’ in June and/or November to students who were unavailable in February based on their program intake/delivery pattern or because they were on a field, co-op or clinical placement.

How Will I Get the Survey?

The OCSES is an online survey. On the day of survey launch, you will receive an email from an Algonquin College representative inviting you to complete the survey.

You can also access your survey through Brightspace. There is a widget in the top right corner:

Ontario College Student Experience Survey Widget is white and green rctangle at the top right of the Brightspace homepage.

Is the Survey Confidential?

The survey data is being collected by a third party. Your responses will be confidential and anonymous. Only aggregate data will be reported, and all individual responses are confidential.