University of Staffordshire celebrates NSS 2025 success with improvement across all key areas

University of Staffordshire is celebrating a significant uplift in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS) results

A group of four students sat in front of the Catalyst building on a sunny day

University of Staffordshire has seen a 22-place rise in its sector ranking

These results are a powerful endorsement of the work we’ve been doing to put our students first. To see such a significant improvement across all NSS themes – and to have climbed 22 places in the sector – shows that our focus on student experience is paying off.

Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

In this year's survey, the University saw improvements recorded across all seven key themes and a 22-place rise in its sector ranking.

The NSS asks students across the UK to share their views on their academic support, teaching and assessments, and the wider student experience. More than 357,000 final-year higher education students in the UK took part in the 2025 NSS – approximately 71.5% of those eligible – making it the largest survey of its kind in the country.

The University’s overall positivity rate increased by four percentage points to 81.5% in 2025 – up from 77.5% in 2024. Notably, the University has also significantly improved its sector position.

This progress reflects university-wide efforts to enhance the student experience and ensure that students feel heard, supported and well-prepared for their future careers.

The University recorded improvements across all seven key NSS themes with:

  • Academic Support remaining our highest-rated theme, with a positivity rate of 85.2%, up 2.7 percentage points from 2024.
  • Student Voice rose to 76.6%, marking a 4.7-point increase.
  • Organisation and Management climbed to 70.2%, an improvement of 4.3 percentage points.
  • Assessment and Feedback improved to 82.8%, a 3.9-point rise.
  • Teaching on my Course reached 84.4%, increasing by 3.1 percentage points.
  • Learning Opportunities now stands at 82.8%, up 3.9 percentage points.
  • Learning Resources rose to 84.7%, a 3.3-point improvement.

Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Staffordshire, said: “These results are a powerful endorsement of the work we’ve been doing to put our students first. To see such a significant improvement across all NSS themes – and to have climbed 22 places in the sector – shows that our focus on student experience is paying off.

“We’re particularly proud of the results in Academic Support, which underline the strength of our teaching community and our commitment to helping every student succeed. This year’s performance provides us with a strong foundation as we continue to raise standards and deliver an excellent educational experience. My heartfelt thanks to all involved in this journey of excellence.”

Professor Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Research, added: “We are delighted with the positive outcome of this year’s survey, and the increase in our ratings is a reflection of grassroots-level efforts across the University.

“Every single interaction – from academic staff to professional services – has contributed to this success. I want to thank our staff for their dedication and students for their valuable feedback, which helps us shape our approach to teaching, learning and support.”

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