Activate Learning is celebrating excellent student feedback following the release of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, capturing feedback from Higher Education (HE) students across the UK.
The NSS is an annual national survey, which gives final-year undergraduate students the opportunity to share their views into various aspects of their academic journey.
In 2025, over 357,000 students from universities, colleges and other HE institutions participated, providing a robust picture of student satisfaction nationwide.
Activate Learning’s NSS scores significantly outperformed national averages across all key metrics, highlighting the exceptional experience it provides to its students. This includes teaching quality, learning opportunities, academic support and student engagement.
Key highlights include:
- Teaching: 99.2% satisfaction, 12.3% above the national average of 87%.
- Learning Opportunities: 98.0%, surpassing the national average by 14%.
- Assessment and Feedback: 93.8%, significantly higher than the 81% UK average.
- Academic Support: 96.7%, 8.7% above the sector average.
- Student Voice: 99.1%, dramatically exceeding the national average of 77%.
- Freedom of Expression: 98.3%, 10.3% above the UK-wide result.
Bill Hunt, Director of Higher Education at Activate Learning, said: “These exceptional NSS results highlight our continued commitment to putting students at the heart of everything we do. At a time when the sector is seeing overall improvements in student satisfaction, we are particularly proud to stand out so significantly.
“This success demonstrates the impact of our innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and student engagement. Our students have clearly expressed that they feel valued, supported and empowered—something we strive to achieve every day.”
Nationally, NSS 2025 results revealed an overall upward trend in student satisfaction across UK higher education, with improvements noted in teaching quality and student wellbeing. However, Activate Learning’s performance notably surpasses these broader sector gains, marking it out as a leader in delivering an outstanding student experience.
Bill Hunt further commented: “While we’re pleased with our performance, we will continue to listen to our students and draw from best practices nationwide to ensure that we keep enhancing our provision. Our goal is not just to meet but exceed expectations year after year.”
Activate Learning runs its Higher Education programmes from City of Oxford College and University Centre in Oxfordshire, Reading College and University Centre in Berkshire and Merrist Wood College and University Centre in Surrey.
Activate Learning remains dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring prospective students and educational partners can confidently expect a first-class education experience.
For more information about Activate Learning’s HE offer, discover our Higher Education pages or contact Activate Learning on 0800 612 6008.