The University of Southampton is celebrating after student satisfaction scores improved in every theme.
This year's National Student Survey (NSS) results show increases in every category, with more students reporting that they are happy with mental wellbeing services, the quality of their courses, and the support received from teaching staff.
The impact of these improvements is especially evident in areas such as organisation and management, assessment and feedback and student voice, with the University seeing an increase in performance scores across all metrics.
The NSS is a key indicator of how student needs are being met in higher education. It is commissioned by the Office for Students (OfS), and surveys final-year undergraduate students about key areas of student life, including student experience, resources, teaching and support.
This positive change, which builds on year-on-year improvements since 2023, reflects the importance of the student experience at Southampton and the meaningful impact of student feedback.
The results show:
• 76 per cent of students participated in this year's survey - an increase of two per cent compared to 2025
• 87.9 per cent of students are happy with the teaching on their course
• 84.1 per cent of students responded positively to questions about the learning opportunities available
• 89.3 per cent of students praised the academic support on offer
• Positive feedback about mental wellbeing services increased to 86.4 per cent
• Almost 80 per cent of students said they felt their voices mattered
• 89.4 per cent of students said that freedom of expression was respected
• 81.5 per cent of students believe the Students' Union represents their academic interests
The results position the University eighth within the Russell Group this year.
Professor Deborah Gill, Vice-President (Education), said: "Our students shape everything we do so I am proud to see that reflected so brilliantly in today's National Student Survey results.
"We work in partnership with our students to make sure their experience is positive and strive to make sure that we are helping them develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed in their future careers.
"This year's NSS results are testament to the hard work of all those who have acted on student feedback to implement meaningful change.
"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this progress and our students for sharing their views so openly. Their perspective is invaluable and we will continue to work together to ensure our university remains a place where every student can thrive."
This latest success comes after several other highlights in 2026 - including Southampton entering the first-ever TIME Magazine global university rankings at 52 and climbing to 15th in the UK in the Complete University Guide.
The University also marked the topping-out ceremony of its new landmark Building 75 and saw work begin on the renovation of the Nuffield, which will provide improved teaching and learning facilities for future students.
