National Student Experience Survey again names University of Wollongong #1 for teaching degrees
University students have rated the University of Wollongong (UOW) number one in Australia for undergraduate Teacher Education for the second year in a row, according to the Federal Government's National Student Experience Survey (QILT).
The annual survey measures student satisfaction across key areas such as teaching quality, learning resources, skills development, and student support. Results, published on the ComparED website, confirm UOW as the nation's best university for Teacher Education and teaching degrees in 2024.
This national recognition adds to UOW's broader success, with the University also achieving the highest Overall Educational Experience rating of any public university in Australia — 80.9 per cent, compared to the national undergraduate average of 76.4 per cent.
Professor Shirley Agostinho, Interim Head of the UOW School of Education, said the top ranking reflects the dedication and teamwork of staff across all teaching disciplines.
"Our lecturers, tutors and markers work tirelessly to support our students through their degrees. This number one ranking is really a team award. It shows how positive those interactions are across the entire course of a degree," Professor Agostinho said.
Dr Ken Cliff, Head of Teaching and Learning, said the result demonstrates UOW's consistency across every aspect of the student experience.
"Our strength isn't in one area, it's across the board. Students rated us highly for learning resources, skills development, teacher quality and overall educational experience. The national data shows we deliver quality from start to finish," Dr Cliff said.
With World Teachers' Day being celebrated this week, Dr Cliff acknowledged the essential contribution of local educators and schools that host teaching placements across the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Highlands, southern and south-west Sydney and rural NSW.
"We consistently hear that Professional Experience placements are a highlight of our teaching degrees, and it's our relationships with schools and teachers that makes that possible. There's a culture at UOW of supporting students to achieve great outcomes and then go into their communities and make a difference," Dr Cliff said.
UOW's Teacher Education programs have embedded classroom learning through long-standing partnerships with Fairy Meadow Demonstration School and Keira High School, with a new program soon to launch at Liverpool Public School.
In Early Childhood Education, UOW's world-first Early Start facility, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, continues to shape teaching and research in early learning. And UOW's innovative Early Years Accelerated degree provides professionals working in the sector an opportunity to upskill as Early Childhood Educators to lead learning in their centres and preschools.
The 2024 National Student Experience Survey also ranked UOW first for Communications, equal second for Nursing and equal third for Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences.
