National Student Survey: NSS
For students on courses leading to undergraduate credits or qualifications.
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About the NSS
The NSS, run by Ipsos, gathers students’ opinions on the quality of their courses. It includes all full-time and part-time UK, EU, and international undergraduate (UG) students in their final year of study. The NSS excludes incoming and exchange students.
Guidance for staff who are promoting the survey can be found in the resources section below. Please be reminded that there are strict guidelines around the sharing of response rates and these must be adhered to when promoting the survey.
NSS fieldwork usually runs from early February to the end of April.
NSS results for 2023 and 2024 are available in the Strategic Insights Portal (please select 'Student experience' in the 'Education' section).
What does it ask about?
The survey has a number of core questions, relating to the following aspects of the student learning experience:
- Teaching on my Course
- Learning Opportunities
- Marking and Assessment
- Academic Support
- Organisation and Management
- Learning Resources
- Student Voice
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Freedom of expression
Students also have the opportunity to give positive and/or negative comments on their student learning experience as a whole. The 2024 NSS questions can be found here.
Who is eligible to take part?
Eligible students include all those on courses leading to undergraduate credits or qualifications in their expected final year of study. The survey also includes students who have withdrawn from study during their final year as their feedback is equally valuable; students repeating their penultimate year will be surveyed unless they have been specifically submitted for removal; students who have changed their course arrangements, but were originally expected to graduate in the current year, will only be eligible this year and not when they eventually reach their final year. Students who were surveyed in 2024 will not be surveyed again in 2025.
How do students take part?
At Newcastle University the NSS opens on 3rd February 2025. Eligible students will receive an email from Ipsos with a link to complete it. They can also complete the survey online or on their smartphone by going to www.thestudentsurvey.com and logging in there to take part.
What happens to the responses?
The NSS responses help us find areas where the student learning experience could be improved. Schools should work closely with student representatives on the Board of Studies and Student-Staff Committee to develop an action plan in response to NSS results.
Why should I encourage my students to take part?
As well as the importance of providing feedback, taking part in the NSS is an opportunity to win a prize and to make a difference for others too. Every year shopping vouchers can be won with a value of up to £100. There are 15 vouchers to be won (5x £100 and 10x £50). A charity donation of £2 per completed survey in the first 3 weeks is made to a charity chosen in collaboration with Newcastle University Students Union (NUSU). This year donations will be made to N.E.S.T and Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
Terms and conditions apply to the prize draw.
Resources and Contacts
The resources available at our NSS Resources page can be used by any staff promoting the NSS within their academic unit.
However, please be reminded that there are strict guidelines around the sharing of response rates and these must be adhered to when promoting the survey. You are strongly advised to read this guidance carefully before promoting the survey.
If you have any queries about the survey or wish to check whether something you are planning to do will be considered appropriate, please contact us at studentsurveys@newcastle.ac.uk.