Higher education emotions: a scale development exercise

Emotion experienced in the classroom has been shown to influence subject-level satisfaction and loyalty to the institution. To date, a valid and reliable scale to measure higher-education satisfaction emotions does not exist and this study aims to rectify this shortfall. After a qualitative and quantitative investigation, 14 emotions that formed three dimensions were retained. These emotions, when combined with performance perceptions, explained 71% of the variance in satisfaction with a learning and teaching experience that, in turn, explained 82% of the variance in loyalty to the institution. This scale can complement existing evaluation instruments and assist education managers and marketers in capturing a richer understanding of their students' experience, which, if managed correctly, can lead to enhanced reputation and increased future enrolments.