Satisfaction with Higher Education: critical data for student development

• Published in: European journal of education Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 415 - 432
• Main Authors: de Lourdes Machado, Maria, Brites, Rui, Magalhães, António, Sá, Maria José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2011; Blackwell Publishing; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: 21st century; Academic advising; Academic degrees; Academic education; Attitude surveys; College students; Colleges; Contemporary society; Education reform; Educational Assessment; Educational Experience; Educational Indicators; Expectation; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Higher education policy/development; Marketing; National Surveys; Needs Assessment; Participant Satisfaction; Performance Factors; Personal development; Portugal; Prestige; Recruitment; Scholarly publishing; Social change; Social development; Student Attitudes; Student Development; Student Educational Objectives; Student experience; Student Needs; Student retention; Student to staff feedback; Students; Universities; Widening access/participation; Portugal
• ISSN: 0141-8211; 1465-3435
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3435.2011.01489.x

Higher education is a mainstay in the development and support of the economic, social and cultural development of the global society. Throughout history, academic institutions have sought to respond to the demands of endlessly changing and evolving environmental conditions. However, in the 21st century, a number of significant factors are changing the higher education landscape and challenging higher education institutions (HEIs) to interpret the vital needs of contemporary society to stimulate and enhance student development. Student development is an all‐embracing concept that involves research focusing on students from recruitment to placement. Assuming that meeting student needs and stimulating and enhancing their development are crucial challenges for higher education institutions worldwide, the article focuses on a national study in Portugal designed to measure students’ expectations and satisfaction with their experience. On the basis of a nationwide survey, it examines these in the various types of higher education institutions in Portugal.