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Queen’s celebrates three years of rising student satisfaction in landmark national survey results

The University has recorded its third consecutive year of growth in the National Student Survey (NSS), with students reporting their most positive experience yet.

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The 2025 NSS results published this week by the Office for Students show overall satisfaction among students rising to 83% up from 81% in 2024, with gains across every survey category.  

These results are a clear demonstration that progress and development in two key areas – education and student experience – are being recognised by those who matter most: students themselves. 

Standout progress was made in ‘Academic Support’, ‘Organisation and Management’ and ‘Student Voice’, which each rose by 3 percentage points. Other areas such as ‘Learning Opportunities’ and ‘Learning Resources’ also saw marked improvement. 

For the first time, every Faculty surpassed 80% overall positivity – and most Schools surpassed 80% overall positivity a milestone that speaks to the strength and consistency of student-centred practice across the University 

Professor Judy Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, welcomed the results: 

“I’m incredibly proud of these results. They reflect the commitment and expertise of staff across Queen’s and the honest, engaged feedback of our students, who are clearly seeing the difference we’re making. 

“It’s especially encouraging to see real gains in the areas that matter most to students, from academic support to assessment and feedback. Strategy 2030 is about delivering a transformative, inclusive experience and this is a strong signal that we are on the right path. 

“With students responding in greater numbers and with greater positivity year on year, the NSS continues to shape our approach to learning and teaching. These results offer a powerful platform to build from, and a shared success story for staff, students, the Students’ Union, and the Global Institute of Educational Excellence, as we drive forward our Strategy 2030 ambitions.” 

Queen’s now ranks among the top 25% of Russell Group universities for Assessment and Feedback and Organisation and Management, and outperformed the Russell Group average in six of the eight NSS themes. 

At subject level, five areas achieved 100% student satisfaction: 

  • Chemistry 
  • Dentistry 
  • Learning Disability Nursing 
  • Liberal Arts 
  • Planning (urban, rural and regional) 

A further 10 subjects reported over 90% satisfaction, including French Studies, Pharmacy, Geography, English Studies, Architecture, Drama, Iberian Studies, Celtic Studies, Zoology, Children’s Nursing, and Adult Nursing. 

Planning (urban, rural and regional) and Pharmacy both placed 1st in the UK, while Learning Disability Nursing and Dentistry placed second, and Architecture placed third.  

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office via email: comms.office@qub.ac.uk or tel: (028) 9097 3091    

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