University Planning, Evaluation and Quality

Melbourne Experience Survey (MES)

The Melbourne Experience Survey (MES) is now in its third year and forms part of a systematic program of evaluating students' academic and social experience at the University. The MES seeks feedback from students on their expectations of teaching and learning, and their opinions of the academic and support services provided by the University. In the MES students are asked about —

  1. their overall perceptions of the University;
  2. their views of enrolment and course advice;
  3. their perceptions of their current course experience;
  4. their use of academic support services such as libraries, computers, academic skills programs; and
  5. their use of, and effectiveness of other supporting services such as health, counselling, student union services, and financial aid, housing and careers assistance and services.

Comments on each of these aspects are also invited.

Results are reported to Academic Board, senior management, faculties and service units, and to appropriate committees where students are represented (eg, Melbourne Experience Committee).

All undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled in 2007 were invited to participate in the pilot survey conducted over August and September 2007. In 2008, the survey population comprised of first year undergraduates. This year all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students were asked to complete the survey.

Reports from the MES are shown below (unless otherwise indicated the reports are available for University of Melbourne staff only).


MES 2009 Reports

Reports will be available in January 2010.

MES 2008 Reports

Key preliminary results

Preliminary outcomes of question item frequencies

Item frequencies for first year students

The Melbourne Course Experience report

Student Services by demographic and work responses

MES 2008 Tables

MES 2008 item distribution 2007-2008 first years

MES 2008 item distribution by New Generation course

MES 2008 scale outcomes by New Generation course and selected demographics

MES 2008 Comments

Advice for new students Disabilities services and support Religious support and chaplaincy services
Academic and language skills programs Enrolment processes Sports facilities and services
Careers resources and activities Extra-curricular activities Student centre services
Child care services Financial aid Student diary
Counselling services Health services Student Union services
Course and study Housing and accommodation services Support for incoming international students
Course planning and advice Orientation and transition Union House facilities

MES 2007 Reports

Preliminary outcomes of the 2007 MES (Public access)

MES First Year Experience presentation July 2008 (Public access)

First year undergraduate experience (2007 MES)(Public access)

Services supporting students' Melbourne Experience(Public access)

Library and IT Services Report (Public access)

Enrolment and course advice - analysis of comments on the student experience

Melbourne current course experience (Public access)

MES 2007 Tables

MES 2007 frequency distributions:

Frequency distributions by broad respondent type

Frequency distributions by faculty

Frequency distributions for international students by broad respondent type

Melbourne current course experience:

Scale outcomes by broad level by faculty

Item frequency distributions by faculty

Item frequency distributions for international students

MES 2007 Student Comments

What are the three best aspects of students' University experience so far?
What three things could the University do to improve students' experience?
Academic and language skills programs Enrolment and re-enrolment Libraries and library materials
Careers and employment services Examinations Services supporting international students
Chaplaincy services Financial aid for students Sports facilities and services
Counselling services Health services Student Union and Union House
Course and subject advice Housing and accommodation services Timetables
Disability services IT and IT support UMPA and graduate services
For further information, please contact Suzanne Daroesman or Bill Jones.

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