Deal or no deal? Expectations and experiences of first-year students in Art and Design

This report is based upon a survey which explored the 'match' between students' expectations of higher education and their actual experience of their first year. Were the weaknesses noted in respect of scores on the National Student Survey reflected in the early stages of higher education?

The survey covered four main aspects of first-year students' experience:

• influences on their choice of programme and institution;
• expectations that they had regarding study in higher education;
• their opinions regarding their first-year experience;
• background demographic data.

The report details how the match between students' expectations and experience varied in four broad areas of assessment methods; learning environment; teaching quality and course organisation.