Australian university students studying fully online are reporting stronger overall satisfaction with their education than their on-campus peers, but continue to face challenges in developing skills and building connections, according to a major national survey released today.
The 2024 Student Experience Survey (SES) National Report, conducted by the Social Research Centre for the Federal Department of Education, found online students rated their Overall Educational Experience more positively than those studying on campus or in hybrid modes. This was true for both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.
However, the picture shifted when it came to skills development and peer engagement. Students attending campus in person or through blended study were far more positive about these areas. Peer engagement in particular highlighted the divide: 65 per cent of on-campus undergraduates reported positive experiences compared with just 22.3 per cent of external students, a gap that has widened steadily since 2022.
While overall ratings have improved since the pandemic, they remain below pre-COVID benchmarks. In 2024, 76.5 per cent of undergraduates reported a positive educational experience, compared with 78–80 per cent before 2020. Postgraduate coursework students, by contrast, have surpassed pre-pandemic levels across all five focus areas, a result partly attributed to higher satisfaction among international students.
The survey also exposed sharp demographic differences. Students over 30, as well as commencing undergraduates, rated their experience higher than younger and later-year students. Those reporting a disability or speaking a language other than English at home consistently recorded lower scores across almost all areas.
A student’s sense of belonging also emerged as a concern. Just 46.6 per cent of undergraduates said they felt connected to their institution in 2024, well below pre-pandemic levels. External students were significantly less likely to feel this sense of belonging than those studying in person.
“While teaching quality remains the most important factor influencing students’ ratings of their overall educational experience, a strong sense of belonging to their institution also plays a critical role,” Dr Angela Baker, Director of Education at the Social Research Centre, said.
“Sense of belonging is closely linked to teaching quality and engagement, but it’s also shaped by broader elements such as orientation programs, induction activities, and access to study and learning support services.”
Dr Baker said institutions still had work to do in strengthening support for all students.
“The results from the 2024 SES show that while many aspects of the student experience have rebounded since the pandemic, there are still areas where institutions can make meaningful improvements,” she said.
“Understanding the diverse needs of students, whether they’re studying online, on campus, or come from different demographic backgrounds, is essential to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments that foster both academic success and a strong sense of belonging.”