Pasitenkinimas studijomis – nuo studento iki absolvento

Abstract

The article discusses students’ satisfaction and the factors that shape it and the change in the level of satisfaction as the student’s educational experience increases. Understanding a student’s study experience, the ability to predict the level of satisfaction and maintain it remains a relevant topic in higher education. To achieve sustainable performance, high quality of studies and students’ satisfaction become the main factors in the competitive struggle of higher education institutions. Students’ satisfaction is also an indicator of the effectiveness of the institution. Considering the fact that students’ satisfaction is a changing phenomenon, the article analyses which factors promoting student satisfaction are the most important to achieve potentially the highest level of students’ satisfaction at different stages of studies and after graduation. After reviewing the scientific literature, the factors shaping students’ satisfaction were identified. The article presents research results on the opinions of students and graduates in the aspect of students’ (graduate’) satisfaction with studies and analyses the links between the level of students’ satisfaction and the factors that promote students’ satisfaction. The research results reveal that the level of students’ satisfaction decreases as their learning experience in higher education increases and slightly increases after gaining work experience. The study found that the motives for choosing a higher education institution and study programme do not affect the level of students’ satisfaction. The main services provided by the higher education institution that have the greatest influence on students’ satisfaction include study quality, balanced study load, and study and learning environment. In the first and final years, the practical applicability of acquired knowledge and skills in professional activities is important for students’ satisfaction.