What University Students Want

What university students apparently want just after graduation is a good job or further study as a foundation for a solid career. Few seem to want a break. Yet during their study years these students vary in what they seek and in their learning preferences. My students tend to prefer classroom discussions over lectures; they favour ungraded assessment (formative assessment) over graded work (summative assessment); and they value days away from the classroom when they can work remotely on their assignments, whether individually or in teams. What others have written on this subject has caught my attention lately.

“What Do Students Want from a Higher Education” is an IE article by fourth year student – Francia Morales - providing useful insights. Just after the pandemic, in February 2022, the results of a student survey led by IE’s student newspaper The Stork showed interesting results, especially since it included input from the American University of Beirut’s student newspaper Outlook as well as the student newspapers Roar News of King’s College and Ubyssey of the University of British Columbia. At that point in the evolution of education, the results reflected three main areas of concern for students: teaching styles, the flexibility of learning, and on-campus living. Although some students seemed uncomfortable with remote learning at the time, it was the lack of engagement rather than the fact that teaching was online that disturbed them. Blended learning was clearly emerging as the future trend.

A 2024 Times Higher Education article by the same title as the IE one reflects student concerns in the UK such as high costs: “A rethink is needed on the dilemma of working while studying. Students wanted to see more paid opportunities available within their universities.” The article stresses the need to engage students in shaping their education rather than merely surveying them. Accessible, user-friendly technology tools are also considered a top priority, especially tools that do not require different logins that would waste time.

In 2025, both university students and faculty members recognize the potential of artificial intelligence, yet there is a need for AI literacy. Surveys of both students and faculty have indicated concerns about the reliability, accuracy, and ethical implications of content generated by AI (AI in Higher Education: A Meta Summary of Recent Surveys of Students and Faculty). Clear policies and guidelines for AI use are needed, alongside training and support for both students and faculty.