University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES)

The survey will start on Tuesday, April 2, 2024!

What is the UC Undergraduate Experience Survey?

The University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey is a survey of undergraduates across the University of California system that is conducted every other year during the spring.  The survey is an opportunity for students to share experiences and input on a wide range of aspects of student life: academic work, academic advising, access to classes, interaction with faculty and peers, participation in student organizations, campus services, and future plans.

Who participates in the survey?

All undergraduate students at UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses are invited to participate.  Over 20,000 UC Santa Cruz undergraduates took the survey in the last five times the survey was conducted.  Across the UC system, about 60,000 students participate in any given survey year.  See the Prize Winners page for a list of prizes for 2024 and to see recent winners!

How are survey findings used to improve student life?

  1. The UC Undergraduate Experience Survey allows students to give feedback that can be seen by faculty in each major and leaders throughout campus.  It is the only campus-wide student survey that provides comprehensive student feedback on the quality of academic experiences used in formal evaluation of academic majors.
  2. The survey allows key campus decisionmakers to understand trends and evaluate changes in students' experiences.  Survey findings help decisionmakers throughout campus to evaluate curriculum in each major, teaching practices, advising, campus programs, student services, and the campus climate for the expression of diverse ideas and experiences.  The survey has been run since 2006.
  3. The survey is designed especially for UC students and provides cross-campus comparative data for UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses.

Survey Results Across All UC Campuses

2022 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey Results

The 2022 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey at UC Santa Cruz was open from April 6, 2022 to July 1, 2022.  28% of students enrolled in Winter 2022 took the survey.

UCUES 2022 system dashboard image with blue title and black filters and tables

Interactive data tables for UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses, 2022

Results can be filtered by general subject area of study, as well as student level and student background characteristics.  Available on the systemwide surveys results pages (University of California systemwide Information Center).

UCUES advising dashboard thumbnail with blue, teal, and yellow bars

Interactive data tables on Advising for UC Santa Cruz, 2022

Results from the 2022 UCUES Module on Advising show the UCSC undergraduate students' experiences with advising provided by faculty and various campus units, as well as their advising needs related to academic progress, financial needs, and post-graduate plans.

UCUES 2022 advising suggestions thumbnail with blue table of common themes

Undergraduate Student Suggestions for Improving Advising, 2022 (PDF)

UCUES 2022 climate for diversity and inclusion thumbnail with blue and yellow chart about inclusion for students with disabilities

Undergraduate Student Experiences with the Climate for Diversity and Inclusion, 2022 (PDF)

UCUES 2022 research participation thumbnail with blue and gold-colored bar charts Undergraduate Student Participation in Research and Creative Projects, 2022 (PDF)
UCUES 2022 library resources thumbnail with blue and gold tables Undergraduate Student Satisfaction with Library Resources and Skills Levels in Library Research, 2022 (PDF)
UCUES 2022 financial literacy thumbnail with blue chart and black text

Undergraduate Student Financial Literacy Needs and Impact of Finances on Retention, 2022 (PDF)

  • 2018-2022 Student Experiences in Academic Programs, by Department within Each Division

UCUES 2018-2022 report icon of a light blue table

Arts Division report (PDF)

 

Humanities Division report (PDF)

 

Physical and Biological Sciences report (PDF)

 

Social Sciences report (PDF)

 

Baskin Engineering report (PDF)

 


2020 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey Results

The 2020 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey at UC Santa Cruz was open from May 5, 2020 to August 8, 2020.  29% of students enrolled in Winter 2020 took the survey.

2018 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey Results

The 2018 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey at UC Santa Cruz was open from April through July 2018.  39% of students enrolled in Winter and/or Spring 2018 took the survey.

2016 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey Results

2014 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey Results

Results from previous years 2008-2012 are available upon request.

Research Papers and Presentations based on the UC Undergraduate Experience Survey

Contact Information 

For more information about the UC Undergraduate Experience Survey, please contact surveys@ucsc.edu.