National Student Survey - guide for students

The 2026 National Student Survey results show that student satisfaction in the UK is improving.

Over 360,000 final year higher education students in the UK took part in the NSS in 2026. That’s approximately 71.8 per cent of students who were eligible, making the NSS the largest survey of its kind.

What do the results show?

In 2026 a higher proportion of students responded positively across all themes compared to 2025.

Teaching on my course

Almost nine in ten (88.1 per cent) students responded positively to questions relating to ‘teaching on my course’, compared with 86.9 per cent in 2025.

Student voice

80.2 per cent of students responded positively to questions relating to ‘the student voice’, which look at the extent to which students' feedback is considered and acted on by universities and colleges. This compares to 77.6 per cent in 2025.

What needs improving?

While most students (81.1 per cent) responded positively to questions relating to the organisation and management of their course, the survey found that the positivity score for some institutions was significantly lower than expected.

As in previous years, disabled students were less positive about their higher education experience across all survey themes than those who did not report a disability, with the most significant differences seen in responses to questions relating to ‘organisation and management’ and ‘the student voice’.

Course-level NSS results will be published on the Discover Uni website in the autumn.

How will the results be used?

Universities and colleges use these results to improve their courses and services, so that students have a better higher education experience.