National Student Survey shows strengths of social work at York

News

Posted on Sunday 19 July 2026

The results of the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS) have revealed the strengths of the School for Business and Society for the study of social work. We have excelled in the category of ‘Student Voice’.

We placed joint 10th in the UK for ‘Student Voice’ among universities included for social work in the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS).

Student Voice

Q22. ‘To what extent do you get the right opportunity to give feedback on your course?’ - we scored 92.3%
Q23. ‘To what extent are students’ opinion about the course valued by staff?’ - we scored 100%
Q24. ‘How clear is it that students’ feedback on the course is acted on?’ - we scored 84.6%

On the ranking, Polly Sykes, Head of Social Work, said: "It is wonderful to know our students feel heard. As both social workers and educators, seeking and acting on feedback is of central importance to the staff group. We are committed to using the insights gained through feedback to continuously improve and deliver the best possible student experience”.

What is the National Student Survey

The NSS is a nationwide survey of final-year students in higher and further education. They answer questions on a variety of aspects of their university experience, including their department and course.

Almost 2,800 York students responded to the 2025 survey, helping prospective applicants to compare courses and make informed decisions about where to study. The survey empowers those taking part to shape the future of their course, giving universities honest feedback on what they are doing well and where they can improve.

While 400+ institutions take part in the NSS, including Further Education colleges, these results are based on a sector-wide list of 130 universities typically found in domestic league tables.