Surrey climbs to 7th in the sector for student satisfaction in NSS 2026

Students at the University of Surrey have given the institution its strongest National Student Survey (NSS) score in years – with an overall student satisfaction reaching 87.7 per cent in the 2026 results. The results show that the University is up on last year in every section of the survey.

The score places Surrey 7th* in the sector – ahead of every Russell Group university. It also exceeds the University's own target of 87 per cent for the year.

These excellent results are a real tribute to the commitment and professionalism of colleagues across the University, whose work every day – both inside and outside the classroom – shapes the quality of the student experience at Surrey. Our ambition is that every student leaves Surrey with an education that gives them both purpose and the confidence to make a meaningful impact in their chosen field. We are immensely proud of this year’s outcome, while remaining firmly committed to building further on this success and continuing to strengthen the experience we offer our students. Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor

The University improved on every section of the survey compared with last year. Surrey placed in the top 10 per cent for teaching, learning opportunities, organisation and management, student voice and Students' Union, and in the top 20 per cent for academic support and learning resources.

We are always looking at how we can improve student experience, and that starts with listening. Round-the-clock access to the Library and MySurrey Hive Manor Park, easier support at the Stag Hill Hive, and a fairer approach to how we consider borderline degree classifications are all things students told us mattered to them. We listened, we acted, and these results show it is making a difference. Emma Rowsell, Chief Student Officer

I believe that the quality of our teaching and the dedication of our staff are what our students notice the most, every single day – and it is where we have seen our strongest gain this year. Thank you to each and every member of staff who has made these results possible. Professor Annika Bautz, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education - seconded from: Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences

Eighteen subjects ranked in the national top 10. Biosciences, Iberian Studies and Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry each placed first nationally, with Animal Science and Operational Research ranked second and Sociology third. A further 15 subjects placed as follows:

4th: Media Studies; Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry; Others in Veterinary Science
5th: Information Technology; Microbiology and Cell Science; Nutrition and Dietetics; Others in Technology
7th: Physics; Politics
9th: Cinematics and Photography; Marketing
10th: Forensic and Archaeological Sciences

[ENDS]

Note to editors

*Measured by % positivity based on questions 1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide league table.

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Featured Academics

Prof Stephen Jarvis

President and Vice-Chancellor

Emma Rowsell

Chief Student Officer

Prof Annika Bautz

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education - seconded from: Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences

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