The National Student Survey 2025

The response scale is indicated beneath each question.

Core questions

Teaching on my course

1. How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

Very good; Good; Not very good; Not at all good; This does not apply to me

2. How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging? 

Very often; Fairly often; Not very often; Rarely; This does not apply to me 

3. How often is the course intellectually stimulating? 

Very often; Fairly often; Not very often; Rarely; This does not apply to me 

4. How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work? 

Very often; Fairly often; Not very often; Rarely; This does not apply to me 

Learning opportunities 

5. To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth? 

To a large extent; To some extent; To a small extent; Not at all; This does not apply to me 

6. How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

7. To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

To a large extent; To some extent; To a small extent; Not at all; This does not apply to me 

8. To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study? 

To a large extent; To some extent; To a small extent; Not at all; This does not apply to me 

9. How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me

Assessment and feedback

10. How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work? 

Very clear; Clear; Not very clear; Not at all clear; This does not apply to me 

11. How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course? 

Very fair; Fair; Not very fair; Not at all fair; This does not apply to me 

12. How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

13. How often have you received assessment feedback on time? 

Very often; Fairly often; Not very often; Rarely; This does not apply to me 

14. How often does feedback help you to improve your work? 

Very often; Fairly often; Not very often; Rarely; This does not apply to me 

Academic support 

15. How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

Very easy; Easy; Not very easy; Not at all easy; This does not apply to me 

16. How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

Organisation and management 

17. How well organised is your course? 

Very well organised; Well organised; Not very well organised; Not at all well organised; This does not apply to me 

18. How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

Learning resources 

19. How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

20. How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

21. How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them? 

Very easy; Easy; Not very easy; Not at all easy; This does not apply to me 

Student voice 

22. To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course? 

To a large extent; To some extent; To a small extent; Not at all; This does not apply to me 

23. To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff? 

To a large extent; To some extent; To a small extent; Not at all; This does not apply to me 

24. How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on? 

Very clear; Clear; Not very clear; Not at all clear; This does not apply to me

25. How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

Question 25 is a standalone question, and is not part of the Student voice theme

Additional questions

Mental wellbeing services 

26. How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services? 

Very well; Well; Not very well; Not at all well; This does not apply to me 

Freedom of expression 

Question 27 is for students in England only

27. During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

Very free; Free; Not very free; Not at all free; This does not apply to me

Overall satisfaction 

Question 28 is for students in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales only and is asked after the healthcare questions

28. Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course. 

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

Healthcare, allied health and clinical practice placements 

The following questions are for students studying subjects which include healthcare, allied health and clinical practice placements

H1. I received sufficient preparatory information prior to my placement(s).

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

H2. I was allocated placement(s) suitable for my course.

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

H3. I received appropriate supervision on placement(s).

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

H4. I was given opportunities to meet my required practice learning outcomes / competences.

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

H5. My contribution during placement(s) as part of the clinical team was valued.

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

H6. My practice supervisor(s) understood how my placement(s) related to the broader requirements of my course.

Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely disagree; Not applicable 

Open text question

29. Looking back on the experience, are there any particularly positive or negative aspects you would like to highlight?

Optional questions

Marketing question

30. What prompted you to complete the National Student Survey through our website www.thestudentsurvey.com? (Optional)

• Link from online advertisement (e.g. screensaver/banner promoting the survey) 
• Link from university or college homepage / portal 
• Link from NUS homepage / portal 
• Link from students’ union homepage / portal 
• Leaflet 
• Poster 
• Letter 
• Email link from Ipsos 
• Article in student paper 
• SMS text message 
• I was told about the survey by a friend 
• I was told about the survey by a lecturer / member of staff 
• Student union activity / representative 
• Scanned QR code 
• Department intranet page / moodle site 
• Email link from institution (e.g. Vice-Chancellor, Principal, department/course leader) 
• Other (please write in)

Bank of optional questions 

Response scale: Definitely agree; Mostly agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Mostly disagree; Definitely  disagree; Not applicable 

B1. Personal development

1. The course has helped me to present myself with confidence.

2. My communication skills have improved.

3. As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems.

B2. Students’ union (association or guild)

1. The students’ union (association or guild) has had a positive impact on my sense of belonging to the university or college.

2. The students’ union (association or guild) has had a positive impact on the local community.

3. The students’ union (association or guild) has helped me develop useful life skills.

B3. Careers

1. As a result of my course, I believe that I have improved my career prospects.

2. Good advice is available for making career choices.

3. Good advice is available on further study opportunities.

B4. Course content and structure

1. All of the compulsory modules are relevant to my course.

2. There is an appropriate range of options to choose from on my course.

3. The modules of my course form a coherent integrated whole.

B5. Work placements

Did your course involve any work placements?

a. Yes (ask all questions in this section)

b. No (skip this section)

1. I received sufficient support and advice from my institution about the organisation of my placements.

2. My placements were valuable in helping my learning.

3. My placements have helped me to develop my skills in relation to my course.

4. My placements have helped me to develop my general life skills.

5. The taught part of my course was good preparation for my placements.

B6. Social opportunities

1. I have had plenty of opportunities to interact socially with other students.

2. I am satisfied with the range of clubs and societies on offer.

3. I am satisfied with the range of entertainment and social events on offer.

B7. Course delivery

1. Learning materials made available on my course have enhanced my learning.

2. The range and balance of approaches to teaching has helped me to learn.

3. The delivery of my course has been stimulating.

4. My learning has benefited from modules that are informed by current research.

5. Practical activities on my course have helped me to learn.

B8. The physical environment

1. Security has been satisfactory when attending classes.

2. My institution provides an appropriate environment in which to learn.

B9. Welfare resources and facilities

1. There is sufficient provision of welfare and student services to meet my needs.

2. When needed, the information and advice offered by welfare and student services has been helpful.

B10. Workload

1. The workload on my course is manageable.

2. This course does not apply unnecessary pressure on me as a student.

3. The volume of work on my course means I can always complete it to my satisfaction.

4. I am generally given enough time to understand the things I have to learn.

B11. Assessment

1. Teaching staff test what I have understood rather than what I have memorised.

2. Assessment methods employed in my course require an in-depth understanding of the course content.

B12. Learning community

1. I feel part of a group of students committed to learning.

2. I have been able to explore academic interests with other students.

3. I have learned to explore ideas confidently.

4. Within my course, I feel my suggestions and ideas are valued.

5. I feel part of an academic community in my college or university.

B13. Intellectual motivation

1. I have found the course motivating.

2. The course has stimulated my interest in the field of study.

3. The course has stimulated my enthusiasm for further learning.

B14. Entrepreneurial opportunities

1. If I was interested in starting my own business, I know where I could find support in my institution.

2. My higher education experience has helped me develop skills that could help me run my own business in future.

3. As a result of my higher education experience, I am more likely to consider running my own business in the future.

B15. Employability and skills

1. My higher education experience has helped me plan for my future career.

2. My institution offered activities and resources designed to prepare me for the next step in my career.

3. The skills I have developed during my time in higher education will be useful for my future career.

B16. Environmental sustainability

1. My institution encourages good environmental practice.

2. My course has encouraged me to think about environmental sustainability.

3. I have had opportunities to take part in activities supporting environmental sustainability.

B17. Student safety

1. I feel safe to be myself at university/college.

2. My institution takes responsibility for my safety.