The University of Leeds has made significant progress across all areas in the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS), building on the positive movement seen last year.
Results published today (8 July) show Leeds has once again improved its overall positivity score (the proportion of students giving positive responses to the survey) and improved overall relative to the sector.
The NSS is a student experience survey for undergraduate students across the UK, normally in their final year. The survey gives students the opportunity to feedback on their time at university and includes questions on teaching, assessment, student voice and wellbeing, grouped into seven themes.
NSS results also provide universities with vital insight into what students feel is working well and where improvements need to be made.
This year, 68% of eligible students at Leeds completed the NSS, providing a robust evidence base for understanding the student experience. Nationally, more than 361,000 students completed the survey.
The Survey confirmed that the University is making improvements in all areas including teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, learning resources and student voice.
The University has improved in all seven NSS question themes.
Notable highlights include:
- Student voice, improved by 3.9 percentage points to 80.1%.
- Academic support, improved by 3.5 percentage points to 89.6%.
- Organisation and management, improved by 3.3 percentage points to 81.5%.
Within the Russell Group, the University has improved in rankings in all but two thematic areas. Notably, Leeds has climbed seven places for Academic Support (to 13th), and four places for Student Voice (to 9th), out of a total of 24 Russell Group universities.
Leeds is now scoring higher than the sector benchmark for organisation and management, learning resources and student voice.
This year’s NSS results demonstrate what can be achieved when students are genuine partners in change.
The University has also made progress in assessment and feedback, and learning opportunities. Results show significant improvement in individual questions that have been areas of continued focus, demonstrating how the University’s action makes a real difference to students’ experiences:
- Assessment and feedback: Students receiving assessment feedback on time increased by 5.8 percentage points to 81.8%
- Mental health and wellbeing: Communication about mental wellbeing support services increased by 5.4 percentage points to 85.7%
- Student Voice: Clarity that students’ feedback on the course is acted on increased by 5.2 percentage points to 66.8%
Leeds University Union also continues to perform strongly, with representation at 83.3%, 6.1 percentage points above the sector benchmark.
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “Meaningful change happens when we listen to our students, act on their feedback and work with them in shaping their education. This year’s NSS results demonstrate what can be achieved when students are genuine partners in change.
“I know colleagues across our institution care deeply about our students and work hard to ensure they have the best possible experience at Leeds. I am delighted to see that these latest results reflect that dedication.
“The NSS informs ongoing improvements and, while this year’s results are extremely positive, shows that there is still more we can do. We are, however, still moving in the right direction and will continue to listen and learn together to enhance the student experience in line with our University’s ambition to become a truly student-centred university.”
Professor Wendy Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Education and Experience, who joined the University last week, added: “The NSS provides robust and actionable insights into how students experience their time at university and these results clearly demonstrate the extent to which Leeds is working in partnership with students to shape their education and experience for the better.
“I have already seen how the student voice is embedded in decision-making at the University to ensure students feel heard, encouraged and inspired and I’m very excited to build on the great work that is already happening here.”
Further information
For more information, please contact the University of Leeds press office at pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk.