Survey Title

Graduate Destination Survey & Course Experience Questionnaire

Survey (owner)

PQR

Date conducted, and frequency

The survey is conducted twice per year, roughly in line with graduation times

Principal objectives

The purpose of the survey is to find out from recent graduates what type of work and/or further study they were engaged in a few months after completion of their course. In addition, the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) collects information on student satisfaction with the course just completed. An equivalent for post-graduate by research students (the PREQ) was introduced in 1999. Students are surveyed approximately six months after completing their award (either 30 April or 31 October).

Population

Graduating students, approximately 6 months after completion of course.

A separate survey 'Beyond Graduation Survey' (BGS) is conducted by the GCA and follows up graduating students 3 years later. Results from this survey provide a comparison of how graduates are finding employment over a longer time period.
Summary reports on the BGS are available via the staff intranet

Sample

Sampling process

All graduates surveyed by mail, initially emails are sent directing graduates to an online survey page and then 3 mail-outs follow. Telephone follow up is conducted if needed to achieve the required response rate.

Response rates

A response rate of at least 50% is required for the institution's results to be published in national reports. SCU typically achieves 51-53% (or approx 56% of the domestic graduate population).

Demographics

Survey instrument

Australian Graduate Survey form (CEQ)

Variables, measurement

This is primarily a quantitative instrument (see above) with option for student to include any comments (positive or negative). These comments are analysed qualitatively (using the CEQuery software tool).

Availability of data/reports

The survey is conducted in conjunction with Graduate Careers Australia. For results of previous surveys and information about graduate employment please visit the GCA website www.graduatecareers.com.au/.

Requests for a copy of SCU reports or raw data should be directed to PQR statistics@scu.edu.au

Outcomes

Data from this survey is used in publications such as the Good Universities Guide and is also now reported on the My University website by DIISRTE.

Analysis of the GDS and CEQ data is done at a course level (where there are sufficient responses) and reports distributed to the University Executive, Heads of Schools and the relevant Course Coordinators. In addition to the quantitative analysis these reports include the comments students made about the best aspects of their course and the aspects of the course most in need of improvement.

Click here for an overview of results:

Course Experience Questionnaire

Graduate Destination Survey

Feedback to participants

Feedback is provided to students via MySCU