Skip to content Accessibility statement

National Student Survey 2016 results announced

News

Posted on Wednesday 10 August 2016

The University of York has seen an increase across 13 subject areas in the National Student Survey (NSS), whilst overall satisfaction has gone up from 88 per cent to 89 per cent.

The NSS, commissioned by HEFCE, is designed to gather information from undergraduates on a range of aspects related to their experience at university. The results are used by the University and Students Union to support further improvements in teaching and learning.

Nationally, overall satisfaction at UK universities remained static at 86 per cent.

York recorded improvements in two of the survey categories - Assessment and Feedback, up five per cent to 75 per cent, and Organisation and Management, up three per cent to 87 per cent.

Bolster learning

Professor John Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “This year we have performed well across all areas of the NSS. Where we were already strong, we have maintained good results and where we needed to improve, we have shown we can.

“We will continue to bolster our learning resources in the new academic year with the Spring Lane Teaching building, offering excellent learning and teaching facilities for a range of disciplines."

Four subject areas at York received 95 per cent or above for overall satisfaction: Archaeology, Chemistry, Linguistics and Psychology. 

Ranked first

Disciplines that have seen improvement in overall satisfaction since 2015 are Archaeology; Drama; French Studies; History; Law; Linguistics; Management Studies; Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry; Music; Philosophy; Physical Geography and Environmental Science; Psychology; Social Work. 

Within the Russell Group, York is ranked first for Assessment and Feedback and Organisation and Management and remains in the top three for Teaching on my Course and Academic Support. It is positioned in 7th place in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction, up from 11th place in 2015.

Further information

Each dimension of the NSS combines results from 3-5 survey questions. There are six dimensions: Teaching on my Course, Assessment and Feedback, Academic Support, Organisation and Management, Learning Resources and Personal Development. An Overall Satisfaction score is a stand-alone question, alongside the six category areas. 

Explore more news

News

3 July 2026

Bears often get a bad reputation, but a new study shows that they might not be the species most often involved in human-wildlife interaction that can lead to conflicts in national parks.

News

1 July 2026

Predicting whether a company's profits will rise or fall has long been one of the most notoriously difficult tasks in finance. Corporate earnings underpin trillions of dollars in market valuation, yet traditional forecasting models are routinely upended by economic shocks, shifting consumer tastes, and unexpected corporate crises.

News

25 June 2026

The Scottish Child Payment (SCP) is successfully reducing child poverty and food insecurity, according to a new major study, featuring researchers from the University of York.

News

25 June 2026

Technological developments could change how artists connect with fans, following a trial of a virtual live performance held across two different counties.

News

24 June 2026

A study has revealed that despite centuries of violent regime changes, medieval Sicily was a genetic ‘melting pot’, where Christians and Muslims thrived together.

Read more news