The University of Liverpool has achieved its highest-ever overall positivity score in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), with more than 85% of our students reporting a positive experience in the 2026 survey. This outstanding achievement reflects growing satisfaction in students’ experiences at Liverpool, with improvements recorded in six of the survey’s seven themes.
More than 4,200 final-year students took part in this year’s survey, which is commissioned annually by the Office for Students (OfS). The NSS captures students’ views on key aspects of university life, including teaching, learning opportunities, academic support and learning resources.
Notable highlights from this year’s results include:
- 27 subject areas with a positivity score of more than 90% for teaching
- 92% gave positive responses in relation to learning resources, including library services and IT, marking another consecutive year increase and a 4% lead over the sector average
- Strong feedback on organisation and management, which has risen 5% above the sector average to a positivity score of 86%
- Clear communication of mental wellbeing support services which has risen to an all-time high of 85% following dedicated campaign work
- Positivity around freedom to express ideas, opinions and beliefs, which has improved 3% in comparison to last year with a score of 90%
Students also reported particularly positive experiences in several subject areas, highlighting excellence across the University:
- Engineering achieved a 100% positivity score for Academic Support, ranked 1st in the Russell Group for Assessment and Feedback, and placed 17% above the sector average for Student Voice
- Architecture ranked 1st in the Russell Group for Learning Resources and
achieved 12% higher than the sector for Organisation and Management - History ranked 1st in the Russell Group for Learning Resources
Strong performances were also recorded across all three faculties, with particularly high overall scores achieved by Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Accounting.
Thank you to our staff and students
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: “These results are a strong endorsement from the people who know us best – our students.
“Holding such positive scores across every aspect of what we deliver – whether it be teaching, support, organisation and administration, or our facilities and services – is a genuinely heart-warming reflection of how much every single member of staff in our institution contributes to the experience that our students have here at Liverpool.
“My thanks go out to every student who took the time to complete the survey. The feedback we receive through the NSS is invaluable in helping us to shape improvements that will benefit future generations of Liverpool students.”
Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, added: “These results reflect the collective commitment of colleagues across the University to creating an environment where students can learn, develop and thrive. We will always strive to give our students a competitive edge and it is encouraging to see this effort reflected in the NSS with top rankings in key areas such as teaching, assessment and support.
“The NSS is one of a number of ways we listen to our students to understand what matters most to them. The positive trajectory for the sector as a whole speaks volumes about the value students across the country place in higher education, and the quality of the education they receive. We will continue to build on our strengths, enhance the areas that make the biggest difference to students, and set our graduates up for a rewarding future.”