A total of 39,403 students responded to the 2023 survey, which represents a national response rate of 25.7%.

A total of 39,403 students responded to the 2023 survey, which represents a national response rate of 25.7%. The respondents consisted of 18,924 first year undergraduate students, 11,561 final year undergraduate students, and 8,918 taught postgraduate students. Table 2.1 presents the demographic profile of the national target student population. The profile of 2023 StudentSurvey.ie respondents is also presented. It closely matches the national student population profile, as it has done in previous years.

All results presented in this report, other than the demographic data presented in Tables 2.1 have been weighted by gender, mode of study, and cohort.

The use of weighting is regarded as standard practice with survey data because it improves the extent to which respondents match the national student population profile.

This year, 15 of the 21 participating higher education institutions achieved response rates of 25% or greater (19 achieved this in 2022), and 8 institutions achieved response rates greater than 30% (11 in 2022). Although the response rates are lower in some institutions than in 2022, there was still a significant response for analysis of the data and we aim to increase students’ engagement with the survey in future iterations.

The response rates for any one year should not be taken as a direct indication of the effort expended to promote participation within individual higher education institutions in that year. Factors such as timing of the fieldwork or other major events within the institution can influence the response rate. Nevertheless, any institution that notes consistently low response rates should reflect on the nature, tone, and visibility of feedback activities.

It is important that all institutions continue to act meaningfully on the data they have available, rather than “wait” for some target response rate. Students will respond to the survey when it is clear to them that their institution as a whole, and the staff they encounter on a regular basis, value the resulting data and do something or intend to do something with it.

Communication of analysis undertaken, results considered, and actions taken are essential to maintain significant participation in StudentSurvey.ie by students.