Responding to student perceptions of education quality in economics and accounting courses

The Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) is becoming increasingly important in assuring the quality of learning and teaching outcomes in the Australian University System. Universities are now under increasing pressure to improve the CEQ outcomes of their programs. The challenge is to do this in a way that delivers real benefits for students rather than simply to meet administratively set targets. Using the CEQ, this paper examines student perceptions of the quality of accounting and economics education at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) over the period 1998-2008. The connection between overall student satisfaction and good teaching is explored as is the value added by various changes made at UWS in response to student perceptions of education quality over the 11-year study period. Some conclusions are drawn and recommendations made about how CEQ data can be used to enhance the student experience in ways that impact real education outcomes.