Positive boost in National Student Survey cements top position for University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has cemented its position as a top 15 university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS), the annual survey of students’ experience during their time at university.

According to analysis by The Times the University can celebrate ranking in the top 15 UK institutions.

In its third consecutive year of improvement in the NSS, Leicester has seen positivity improve in all 26 core questions of the survey, with particular increases in positivity for course organisation and management, and student voice.

The 2025 National Student Survey results were published today (9 July). The NSS asks students across the UK to share their views on their academic support, teaching and assessments, and the wider student experience. Their feedback will provide information to help prospective students decide where and what to study. The results also produce rich insights to support universities and colleges to improve the higher education experiences of their students.

This year, more than 2,800 University of Leicester students took part, providing valuable insight into how students perceive their time at the University.

It has seen particularly strong responses in the ‘student voice’ theme, which refers to how well the University listens to students and responds to their feedback, which rose from 79.6% to 81.3%; as well as a rise from 84.2% to 86.2% for the ‘organisation and management’ theme, which recognises efforts by both academic and professional services staff to ensure that the University’s programmes are coherent, consistent and clearly communicated to students.

In the ‘academic support’ theme, reflecting the support of teaching staff during their studies, over 90% of students responded positively. 

Three subject areas at Leicester ranked top for overall positivity among the institutions that offer them: Medicine, Human Geography and Earth Sciences. Three more ranked in the top three in their area: Classics and Languages and area studies were ranked second, while Natural Sciences was ranked third. 

A number of subjects were top for a particular theme: 

• Natural sciences ranked first for Learning Resources, and for Academic Support all responses were positive
• Media Studies ranks first for Academic Support, with all responses positive
• Chemistry ranks first for Student Voice 
• Earth sciences ranks first for Learning Opportunities  
• Languages and area studies ranks first for Teaching on my Course, and Assessment and Feedback

Professor Liz Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Leicester, said: “I’m thoroughly delighted to see that more and more students are finishing their studies with a resoundingly positive view of their experience here. It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues across the University that we have seen great progress in our NSS performance year after year. I would like to thank all our staff and our Student’s Union for their valuable contribution, as well as the many students who gave their time to participate in this importance exercise.

“The results of the NSS provide a crucial insight into the experience of our students and how they feel about their education and being part of our community. While we are celebrating our continued success, we will also reflect on those areas where students are setting the bar higher for us. 

“As one of a small number of institutions nationally to achieve TEF Gold alongside a top 30 REF performance, indicating outstanding performance in both teaching and research, we are ideally placed to deliver the very highest quality, most consistent, engaging and well-organised education for our entire student community.”

In the past year, Leicester has been crowned Daily Mail University of the Year 2025 and shortlisted for the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2024 and The Times and The Sunday Times University of The Year 2025 awards. It ranked =27th position in the 2025 edition of the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 34th in the 2025 Guardian University Guide and last month moved up three places from 36th to =33rd in the Complete University Guide.