York St John students report highly positive experience in latest NSS

National Student Survey results show an increase in positive responses from students on their university experience  

Students at York St John University have responded to the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS) with even higher positivity scores than last year.  Results from the 26-question survey show a year-on-year rise across the board, with the University now achieving a student positivity score of 83.5%.  

The NSS, run by the Office for Students (OfS), asks final-year students across the UK to share their views on their academic support, teaching and assessments, and the wider student experience. The survey is one of the largest of its kind in the world. 

24 of the survey questions are grouped by theme by the OfS.  For 2025, York St John has seen improved scores for nearly all themes: Teaching on my Course, Learning Opportunities, Academic Support, Organisation and Management and Student Voice. In benchmark comparisons with the rest of the higher education sector, the University’s score for Assessment and Feedback is notably higher than average. Overall positivity rose 1.2 percentage points from 2024.Professor Karen Bryan, Vice Chancellor of York St John University said: 
 
“It is an incredible achievement for York St John to see a consistent increase in students’ positive views of their academic experience. The NSS results for 2025 reflect a huge commitment from staff to ensure that our students get outstanding support to attain a high-quality education. We place student experience at the heart of our decision-making, and I am delighted to know that our students are benefiting from these efforts.”  

John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students, said of the results:  

“The NSS gives students the important opportunity to feedback on their higher education experiences and helps future students take the next step in choosing the right course for them. I’d like to thank every final-year student who took the time to respond. 

‘I’m especially pleased to see students providing powerful feedback on their experience of teaching, a crucial part of their higher education experience. The NSS is also useful for identifying areas where there is room for improvement. In particular, this year’s results show that institutions across the sector could be doing more to ensure disabled students are getting the high-quality higher education experience they are entitled to.” 

71.5% of eligible students from 528 universities, colleges and private providers took part. The response rate at York St John University was 71%.  

Across the UK, just over 357,000 final year students responded, and their answers provide information for prospective students decide what and where to study. The results also produce rich data to support universities and colleges to improve the experience for all their students. The results of the 2025 National Student Survey can be found on the Office for Students website.