OfS publishes expanded analysis of its research into students' experiences of sexual misconduct in English higher education

The largest prevalence survey of its kind in the UK, it found that nearly one quarter (24.5 per cent) of respondents reported sexual harassment since entering higher education, and around one in seven (14.1 per cent) reported sexual assault/violence. The findings were published in September 2025 following the introduction of new requirements for universities and colleges registered with the OfS to tackle harassment and sexual misconduct.

Today’s report builds upon that publication, providing a more detailed and contextualised view of how students’ reported experiences of sexual misconduct vary depending on how, where, and what they study, as well as intersecting characteristics such as sex, age, domicile, and more.

The analysis found that, among students who responded to the survey, prevalence and reporting behaviours varied widely across these different subgroups. Key findings include:

• Over four in ten (42.4 per cent) students on language and area studies courses reported experiencing at least one instance of sexual harassment. Comparable proportions were reported by students studying veterinary sciences (41.3 per cent) and medicine and dentistry (40.3 per cent).
• Over one quarter (29 per cent) of veterinary sciences students reported experiencing sexual assault/violence, compared with 14.1 per cent across the entire student population. Around one quarter of students studying language and area studies (25 per cent) and medicine and dentistry (23.3 per cent) also reported experiencing sexual assault or violence.
• Prevalence was higher across all subject areas for female students, with nearly a third (31.1 per cent) of those on veterinary sciences courses reporting that they had experienced sexual assault/violence. Comparable proportions were reported by female students studying language and area studies (28.6 per cent), medicine and dentistry (27.6 per cent), and physical science (26.3 per cent).

The OfS will run a further sexual misconduct survey linked to the National Student Survey (NSS) in 2027. It also intends to publish institutional level data from the 2025 and 2027 surveys together, to support transparency and strengthen the evidence base across the sector.

Interim chief executive of the OfS, Josh Fleming, said:

‘Every student should be able to enter higher education with the knowledge that they will be safe from sexual harassment and assault. Sadly, we know that isn’t the case for a significant number of students across the country.

‘Last year, over 50,000 final-year undergraduate students told us about their experiences. I'm extremely grateful to all of them. Their contribution has been instrumental in building a growing body of evidence which will ultimately help institutions better protect students now and into the future.

‘We've released additional analysis of that data today to deepen understanding of how reported experiences may vary between groups of students based on their characteristics, and how, where, and what they study. Every institution should consider these findings and reflect on their existing approaches to preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct, and on how to bring about improvement where it’s needed most. 

‘This issue matters deeply and we’re committed to doing more. We’ll be running another sexual misconduct survey in 2027, and we will continue to monitor how institutions are engaging with our requirements.  

‘In the meantime, we encourage students to continue reporting issues and concerns, using the support services offered by their institution or students’ union. Where students continue to have concerns following an institution’s complaints process, they may also wish to contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) which provides independent and impartial review of student complaints. Students can also find information on our website about national organisations and charities that can offer support.’  

Notes

1. The Office for Students is the independent regulator for higher education in England. Our strategy for 2025 to 2030 seeks to ensure that students from all backgrounds benefit from high quality higher education, delivered by a diverse, sustainable sector that continues to improve.
2. The findings of the expanded analysis describe difference in reported experiences and reporting behaviour and do not explain why these differences occur.
3. The sexual misconduct survey was a pilot survey developed with advice from an external expert group about survey design, questions, implementation and research ethics. The OfS engaged with a wider group of experts in prevalence survey design and management from the UK and elsewhere. The questionnaire itself was based on international examples of prevalence and ‘campus climate’ research.
4. The findings were consistent with a comparable survey in Australia which concluded that ‘sexual harassment and sexual assault are common experiences’, with one in six students reporting that they had experienced sexual harassment since starting at university.
5. On 1 August 2025, the OfS brought into force a new condition of registration that means universities and colleges must take action to prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct. This includes publishing comprehensive information to explain to students how their institution is preventing harassment and sexual misconduct, how incidents that do happen can be reported, and what students should expect – and how they will be supported – during any subsequent investigation. Staff and students must also receive training, including training for new students to improve understanding of what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct. Institutions are also being asked to take steps to prevent an abuse of power in intimate personal relationships between staff and students.
6. As of 1 September 2024, universities and colleges were also banned from using non-disclosure agreements in cases of harassment or sexual misconduct.
7. Students who think they may have experienced harassment and/or sexual misconduct can find links to organisations that may be able to provide support at Help and support.