Complete the 2025 Student Engagement Survey

Dear colleagues and students

I am pleased to announce our participation in the 2025 South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE) and the Lecturer Survey of Student Engagement (LSSE). These national surveys gather feedback from undergraduate students and academic staff across South African universities, and the results provide each institution with invaluable institutional and comparative data.

The feedback we get from you will give us insight into the quality of teaching and learning at the University of Cape Town (UCT), allow us to identify areas of improvement, and help ensure that our educational practices are aligned with the needs of students and staff.

Both surveys should be completed by Friday, 10 October 2025.

Students survey

The SASSE survey asks students about involvement in different types of teaching and learning practices, co-curricular activities, experience of campus culture and life, the quality of interaction with other people on campus, and how supported and engaged students feel within the UCT environment. The survey concludes with the question “What one change would most improve the educational experience at this institution?”

This year, we are also seeking your perspectives on inclusion and decoloniality, and how you are preparing for your career to help UCT better support your employability and transition to the world of work.

By sharing a deeper account of your lived experiences, you can help us identify blind spots and highlight priority areas that will contribute meaningfully to improving student success.

SASSE is for all undergraduate students.

• Complete the South African Survey of Student Engagement 2025.

As a token of appreciation, students who take the time to complete the survey will be entered into a lucky draw for a small number of prizes.

Staff survey

LSSE, complementary to SASSE, captures staff perspectives on undergraduate student engagement in relation to different types of teaching practices, graduate outcomes, the quality of student interactions, and workload and allocation of time from teaching to research.

LSSE is for all staff involved in teaching at undergraduate level.

This year, we are also seeking your reflections on your experiences of inclusion and the ways in which you integrate decolonial approaches into your teaching, research and academic practice. Your perspectives will assist the university in addressing challenges and barriers within the academic environment. A deeper understanding of your experiences and approaches will help identify blind spots and inform priority areas that can enhance institutional culture, academic excellence and the success of both staff and students.

• Compete the Lecturer Survey of Student Engagement 2025.

Why your participation matters

1. Data-driven insights: these surveys allow us to improve and foster an enabling academic environment.
2. Shaping tomorrow’s UCT: feedback received will play a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum, programmes and services offered by the university, making them more in sync with the needs of the university.
3. Community engagement: At the heart of UCT lies a vibrant community. Your participation and insights solidify the essence of this community, ensuring that every voice is valued.

Your feedback, insights, and experiences will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and respect.

Your participation matters, and your feedback helps us shape a more inclusive and supportive learning environment at UCT. I encourage all selected students and staff to participate.

The SASSE and LSSE surveys have been approved by the University of the Free State Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee and at UCT by the CHED Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Student Affairs, and Human Resources. If you have any questions about the surveys, please contact the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching Helpdesk.

Sincerely

Professor Brandon Collier-Reed
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements