Ontario College Student Experience Survey (OCSES): FAQs
The Ontario College Student Experience Survey (OCSES) measures key aspects of the student experience. It provides students with an opportunity to give feedback about their program and Niagara College. It is not an evaluation of a specific course, subject, or teacher. Participating colleges use survey data for continuous improvement and system-level benchmarking. Students are invited by email to complete the online survey every year – please see the Eligibility to Participate section below. This year, a limited number of programs are participating in a pilot of in-class survey administration to evaluate this approach before considering broader use.
The survey is administered by the Planning and Institutional Research (PaIR) department on behalf of Niagara College and in collaboration with the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS).
If you have questions about the OCSES, please email [email protected].
Purpose of the Survey
Your opinions are important. The information you share helps inform planning and continuous improvements in academic programs and college services for current and future students.
The survey period is February 2 – 22, 2026.
Eligibility to Participate
In the winter term, students who are enrolled in a regular postsecondary credential program and have completed at least one term of their current program will be invited by email to fill out the survey online.
The survey link you will be provided is unique to you. Please do not share it with others.
You can expect an invitation email from:
Niagara College <[email protected]>
Who’s Listening
-
Dr. Fay Lim-LambieVice President, Academic -
Dr. Chris McGrathVice President, Students
Directors, Deans, Associate Deans, and Program and College Services Staff
all take a keen interest in your feedback about your College experience.
How long will the survey take to complete?
The core survey questions take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Students who choose to enter the prize draw should allow an additional 2–3 minutes. Students are also invited to participate in an optional additional section of the survey, which may be skipped or may take a few extra minutes if they choose to participate. Providing written responses may add additional time, depending on the length of the comment. Students can stop the survey and return to complete it later at any time during the survey period.
What Participation Involves
Your participation in this online survey is voluntary. Participating in the survey will not impact your status at Niagara College.
The OCSES survey, excluding the optional college-specific questions, will include questions on your college experiences in four areas:
- teaching and learning quality;
- program-related knowledge and skills;
- work-integrated learning; and
- student services and resources.
It will also ask a few demographic questions including previous education and your main goal of education. Each year, colleges may also include a small set of custom questions on topics of interest to help them better understand and support their learners.
The survey instrument was developed with an emphasis on program quality and reflect standards referenced by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) and the College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP).
By choosing to complete and submit the survey, you are providing your consent for Niagara College and its partners to use your responses as described on this page. Most questions are optional, and you may skip any you prefer not to answer unless they are marked as required. You can exit the survey at any time.
If you change your mind after submitting the survey, you may request to withdraw your participation during the active survey period by emailing [email protected] from your NC student email address. After the survey period ends, results are aggregated and de-identified and it is no longer possible to remove individual responses.
For accessibility options please refer to the Accessibility section.
Confidentiality and Uses
All responses are confidential and results are reported in aggregate. Open-ended comments may be summarized, grouped, or redacted to remove names or details that could reasonably identify an individual or very small group, while still reflecting the intent of the feedback. Comments that do not require redaction may be anonymized and reported as submitted.
Information from this survey is used for Niagara College purposes, including quality assurance, program and service planning and review, student success and retention initiatives, and sector-level benchmarking and reporting in de-identified or aggregate form (for example, through OCAS and participating colleges). For more detail on data ownership, consent, and privacy, please see the Data Ownership, Consent, and Indigenous Data Governance section near the bottom of this page.
All data will be securely stored by OCAS, SurveyMonkey, and Niagara College on Canadian servers.
For more information, please see:
- https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/legal/privacy
- https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/legal/security
- Niagara College Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
- https://ocas.ca/en/privacy
Anonymized data may be shared with other Niagara College departments for additional analysis. The privacy and confidentiality of the information you provide will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990.
Survey Questions
View the Ontario College Student Experience Survey InstrumentSurvey Incentives
To show our appreciation for you taking the time to complete the survey, all survey respondents will be invited to participate in the OCSES incentive e-gift card program.
Prize Draws
Main Prizes
All students who complete the survey may enter a random draw for a chance to win one of the prizes listed below:
- Gold Prize: 1x $500 e-gift card
- Silver Prizes: 4x $200 e-gift cards
- Bronze Prizes: 20x $50 e-gift cards
Bonus Draws
Complete the survey by 11:59 PM EST the day before each bonus draw to be eligible.
There will be four bonus draws held during the survey period:
- Bonus Draw #1: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (10x $25 e-gift cards)
- Bonus Draw #2: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (10x $25 e-gift cards)
- Bonus Draw #3: Thursday, February 12, 2026 (10x $25 e-gift cards)
- Bonus Draw #4: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (10x $25 e-gift cards)
Eligibility deadlines (11:59 PM EST): February 3, 9, 11, and 17, 2026
Winners may receive a maximum of one main prize ($500, $200, or $50) and one bonus draw prize ($25).
Survey Prize Winners
A dash (–) indicates winners information not displayed by request.
| # | Draw | First Name | Program | Year of Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonus Draw #1 | – | – | – |
| 2 | Bonus Draw #1 | Emily | Hairstyling | – |
| 3 | Bonus Draw #1 | Damion | Electrical Engineering Techn. | – |
| 4 | Bonus Draw #1 | Jean | Landscape Horticulture Techniq | – |
| 5 | Bonus Draw #1 | Jade | Office Administration-HlthServ | – |
| 6 | Bonus Draw #1 | Samuel | Business-Accounting (Acad) | – |
| 7 | Bonus Draw #1 | – | Computer Eng. Technician | 1 |
| 8 | Bonus Draw #1 | – | Construction Engineering Techy | 1 |
| 9 | Bonus Draw #1 | – | Mechanical Technqs – GenMach | 1 |
| 10 | Bonus Draw #1 | – | Broadcasting – TV Production | 3 |
| 11 | Bonus Draw #2 | Hayden | Brewmaster & Brewery Oper Mgmt | – |
| 12 | Bonus Draw #2 | – | Greenhouse Technician (Co-op) | 1 |
| 13 | Bonus Draw #2 | – | – | – |
| 14 | Bonus Draw #2 | Taryn | Hairstyling | – |
| 15 | Bonus Draw #2 | Marwa | Business – Online | – |
| 16 | Bonus Draw #2 | Jasmin | Practical Nursing | – |
| 17 | Bonus Draw #2 | Daniella | Social Service Worker | – |
| 18 | Bonus Draw #2 | – | Police Foundations | 1 |
| 19 | Bonus Draw #2 | Will | Greenhouse Technician | – |
| 20 | Bonus Draw #2 | Owen | Business | – |
| 21 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | – | – |
| 22 | Bonus Draw #3 | Betty | Early Childhood Educ – PACE | – |
| 23 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | Sport Management | 1 |
| 24 | Bonus Draw #3 | Faith | HonBach-BusnAdmin.-Hospitality | – |
| 25 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | – | – |
| 26 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | Bus.Admn-Supply Chain&OperMgm | 2 |
| 27 | Bonus Draw #3 | Julianna | Child and Youth Care | – |
| 28 | Bonus Draw #3 | Rana | Pre-Community Services – OL | 1 |
| 29 | Bonus Draw #3 | Andrew | Welding Technician | – |
| 30 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | Child and Youth Care | 1 |
| 31 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | – | – |
| 32 | Bonus Draw #3 | Tanvir | Motive Power Techn-Auto (Co-op) | – |
| 33 | Bonus Draw #3 | Jeklyn | Acting for Film & Digital Media | – |
| 34 | Bonus Draw #3 | Emily | Early Childhood Education | – |
| 35 | Bonus Draw #3 | Emily | Early Childhood Education | – |
| 36 | Bonus Draw #3 | Manuel | CST – Network and Cloud Tech | – |
| 37 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | Practical Nursing | 2 |
| 38 | Bonus Draw #3 | – | – | – |
| 39 | Bonus Draw #3 | Sarosh | Early Childhood Educ – PACE | – |
| 40 | Bonus Draw #3 | Alyssa | Social Service Worker | – | 41 | Main Draw – Gold prize winner | – | Office Administration – Health Services | 1</td |
| 42 | Main Draw – Silver prize winner | Jill | Horticultural Technician (Co-op) | – |
| 43 | Main Draw – Silver prize winner | Chan Young | Business Administration – Accounting | – |
| 44 | Main Draw – Silver prize winner | – | Educational Assistance and Adult Supports | 1 |
| 45 | Main Draw – Silver prize winner | Mason | Business Administration – Marketing (Co-op) | – |
| 46 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees | 1 |
| 47 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | Dental Hygiene | 1 |
| 48 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | – | – |
| 49 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Justin | Winery and Viticulture Technician | – |
| 50 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Connor | Broadcasting–Radio TV & Film | – |
| 51 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | Social Service Worker | 1 |
| 52 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | – | – |
| 53 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | – | – |
| 54 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Nigel | Electrical Techniques | – |
| 55 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | – | – |
| 56 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Hailey | Personal Support Worker (PSW) | – |
| 57 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Sadie Joy | Hairstyling – Barbering | – |
| 58 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | Acting for Film and Digital Media | 2 |
| 59 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | Mechanical Engineering Technology (Co-op) | 1 |
| 60 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Damion | Electrical Engineering Technician | – |
| 61 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Jamie | Broadcasting–Radio TV & Film | – |
| 62 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | – | – | – |
| 63 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Kylee | Hairstyling | – |
| 64 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Sara | Office Administration – Executive (Co-op) | – |
| 65 | Main Draw – Bronze prize winner | Patrice | Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (Online Program Delivery) | – |
To be eligible for the prize draws, please complete the survey and submit your NC student email address (only one entry per person please) to have the opportunity to enter into the random draw for a chance to win the survey prizes.
Niagara College will make one attempt to send a digital gift card to the provided NC student email address via a third-party distributor. Niagara College is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misdirected gift cards. The winner(s) are solely responsible for any and all taxes associated with prize receipt and use.
Please note that the survey team is not responsible for any incomplete, failed, or delayed transmission of your submission due to technical, internet, software, or any other issues.
Those who submit their NC student email address after completing the survey, within the active dates of the survey, will be eligible for a chance to win a prize as described above.
Prize limit: Winners may receive a maximum of one bonus draw prize ($25) and one main prize ($500, $200, or $50).
Eligibility Time Frame for Survey Incentives
Eligibility for the incentive programs opens at 10:30 AM EST on Monday, February 2, 2026 and closes at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Prize Notification
If you are receiving a main prize, we will send a message to your NC student email address on Thursday, February 26, 2026. To keep things smooth, please do not email to check on prize status. Only those who have won a prize will be contacted.
If you are receiving a bonus prize, we will send a message to your NC student email address on the day of the draw (February 4, 10, 12, or 18, 2026).
NC partners with EverythingCard, a trusted third-party vendor, for efficient e-gift card distribution. Emails from [email protected] are legitimate and a part of our distribution process. To ensure you receive your e-gift card promptly, check your Junk/Spam folder and read the email carefully for important details on redemption.
Public Disclosure of Prize Winner Information
As part of this survey, participants who complete the survey and opt into the prize draws are asked to indicate their consent preferences regarding the potential public disclosure of limited identifying information if they are selected as a prize winner.
Information about the prize draw process, including the dates of the prize draws, is posted on this FAQ page. This information is procedural only and does not include any participant names or identifying information.
If applicable, public disclosure of prize winner information may occur only on this survey FAQ page and official Niagara College social media channels, as described on this FAQ page. Consent for public disclosure of winner information is voluntary and not a condition of survey participation or prize eligibility.
Survey participants are asked to select one of the following options within the survey:
- I consent to the public disclosure of my first name and program of study.
- I consent to the public disclosure of my program of study and year of study only, without my name.
- I do not consent to the public disclosure of any personal or program-related information. In this case, if selected as a winner, the published list will state: “Winner – information not displayed by request.”
Participants may withdraw or modify this consent up to 4:30 pm EST on the day BEFORE the public posting of winner information (February 3, 9, 11, and 1, 2026), which occurs on the same date as the prize draw, by contacting the research team at [email protected]. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the receipt of the prize.
Thank you for participating. Remember, your feedback matters!
No purchase is necessary to participate in the survey or incentive program. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The incentive program is open only to eligible Niagara College students who receive an invitation to participate in the Ontario College Student Experience Survey (OCSES) and complete the survey during the incentive period.
Accessibility
In compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), OCAS is providing a fully accessible online survey using SurveyMonkey, compatible with current screen readers and assistive technologies. Students may use assistive technologies or devices at their disposal to complete this survey.
Niagara Region Campuses
Should you require alternative accessible options to complete the survey, please email the Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) Reception Desk [email protected].
If you have a disability and would like to access alternative delivery options for completing the survey, please contact the Test Centre:
Welland Campus [email protected]
Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake [email protected]
Data Ownership, Consent and Indigenous Data Governance
Data Ownership & Consent: Survey data and responses are collected and held by Niagara College, which is responsible for their use and protection in line with privacy laws and institutional policies. By participating in this survey, respondents consent to Niagara College’s use and sharing of their responses as described on this page. Occasionally, anonymized and redacted data may be shared with Niagara College students for educational purposes, such as course-based projects, ensuring strict confidentiality and privacy. Survey data are retained to support longitudinal analysis of the student experience. Niagara College will retain de-identified survey response data for up to 25 years, after which they will be securely destroyed or permanently de-identified in accordance with College records retention schedules.
Students who have questions about this survey or their responses can contact [email protected]. For more information about privacy and access to information at Niagara College, please refer to the Niagara College Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy.
Indigenous Data Ownership & Consent: Planning & Institutional Research acknowledges Indigenous data sovereignty principles, including OCAP®, and commits to applying them when collecting, storing, analyzing, or disclosing information relating to Indigenous Peoples.
Notice of Collection: The personal information in this survey is collected under the authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). It will be used for the purposes described in the Purpose of the Survey and Confidentiality and Uses sections above, including quality assurance, program and service planning and review, student success and retention initiatives, and sector-level benchmarking and reporting in de-identified or aggregate form through OCAS and participating colleges.
If you have questions about this collection, please contact Niagara College’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator. Current contact details are available on the Niagara College Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy.
Background
The Ontario College Student Experience Survey was developed through the collective efforts of Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges, starting with a steering committee formed in 2020. In addition, working groups were tasked with developing the various components of the survey, setting the parameters for survey administration, and recommending a survey administrator. The Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) was subsequently chosen to create and distribute the online survey using SurveyMonkey.
Last updated: January 19, 2026