U of T joins Canadian universities in measuring student experience
Beginning February 23, all first- and senior-year undergraduate students will be asked to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
This is the ninth time U of T has participated in NSSE – a survey used by all Ontario universities and Canadian peer universities to measure the quality of undergraduate education.
“We always look forward to participating in the NSSE survey,” says David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience. “It’s an incredibly important initiative. Understanding the way students think and feel about their U of T experience helps us shape the work we do. The information students share with us through NSSE informs program creation and delivery, the language we use and so much more.”
The survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, asks participants about in-class experiences, working with peers, interacting with faculty members, budgeting time, as well as experiences with academic advising.
While NSSE offers the opportunity to explore the world of student engagement, its strength truly lies in participation.
“The more students who respond to the survey, the better equipped we are to serve them,” says Newman. “Our student population is so richly diverse. Learning more about who they are, what makes them unique and their experiences on campus helps us strengthen our community. Together, we can look to the future with a shared vision and understanding.”
High response rates also allow the University to break down data by campus, faculty, college and program of study.
“This year, we hope to have even more participation in order to create meaningful change,” Newman says. “I encourage the U of T community to use our outreach materials to promote the survey as widely as possible.”
Students who complete the survey by May 11 will be automatically entered in a draw to win great prizes. Staff and faculty members are encouraged to promote NSSE using the approved outreach materials, which help protect against protocol violations and bias response rates.
NSSE has led to the enhancement of many programs and services over the past eight cycles, including the expansion of the Black Hub and BSpace, the Academic Advising Training Program, Alternative Reading Week, the Learning Abroad Fair, Undergraduate Research Hub and the “Why Can’t I Focus” workshop.
To learn more about the National Survey of Student Engagement, visit uoft.me/NSSE.
Posted on December 16, 2025
By Sarah Ryeland-Etienne
