A study conducted in March and April of 2016 reveals that students are wanting more from their respective institution’s digital strategy, placing an emphasis on simplification, unification and mobilization of student-facing services.

The global research report by Unit4, an enterprise applications provider, found that one-third of the US college students polled reported that their institution’s student administration systems did not meet their expectations. The study also found that 73% of college students recommend their university review and change its digital strategy. In total, the study polled some 2,000 full- and part-time students studying in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Benelux, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The findings of the report were also compiled in an infographic.

Student responses were consistent both across undergraduate and postgraduates levels and from country to country, citing student demand for their institutions to better digitize student administration and collaboration. Across all geographic regions, 44% of respondents reported that student administration is managed digitally “a little or not at all.” Course transfers were another area of concern for American and Canadian students, with only half of respondents rating their digital administration process as “good.”

The mobilization of student facing services comes as Millennials (born 1980-2000) and Generation Z (born after 2000) flood college campuses in larger numbers. Both generations have grown up with technology and as a result view technology choices differently. Upon arriving to campus Millennials will regularly use an average of three screens, while those in Generation Z will use as many as five — smartphone, TV, laptop, desktop and music player/tablet.

Key stats from the report:

• 41% of respondents would be more likely to recommend their university to others if its digital interaction with students was stronger.
• 87% of respondents want a single app/web application accessible from any device.
• 87% of respondents would be more satisfied if their university implemented a single digital system to manage all administration tasks.
• 80% of respondents would find it useful to have an app that shows current progress in their degree.