Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

What is it?

Undergraduate education at Victoria University is being put under the microscope as the University embarks on an unprecedented review intended to improve the entire undergraduate experience by creating a strategic vision and direction.

VUWSA is faciliating student input into the Review and has representatives on all the Working Parties, and the Review Steering Group itself, and will be using the points raised in our submission in our roles on each body to ensure the student perspective is strongly advocated.

Download the Review of Undergraduate Education Issues Paper.

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The Issues

Undergraduate educations and degrees will be reviewed against a series of key issues:

• Maintaining focused high-quality degrees
• Integrating research into learning to develop student research skills;
• Creating a balance within degrees between specialist disciplines and general education;
• Encouraging deeper learning through assessment;
• Promoting broad education through internships, exchanges and volunteer work

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VUWSA Student Submission

VUWSA received 409 responses to its online survey based on the Issues Paper released by Victoria. A forum was held and students were also made aware of the Review through Salient.

Overall, the student response indicated a need for flexibility within the degree structure. Students do support many of the proposed ideas but also point out that for every student the reason that they are at University is different. Yes, there is a need to develop research skills but this should not happen at the cost of flexibility and ‘real world’ application. Students are in strong support of good feedback in assessment but also have stressed the need to look at how deeper thinking is developed within a timetable that often allows no space for thinking.

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Contact

Contact the VUWSA Education Organiser Dr. Fiona Beals for more information about any aspect of the Review of Undergraduate Education.