UCB ranked among UK's best for student satisfaction in NSS 2026 | News

July 2026

University College Birmingham ranked among UK's best for student satisfaction in National Student Survey 2026

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University College Birmingham has been recognised as one of the UK's highest-performing higher education providers in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026, with students rating their experience more positively than ever before.

The latest results show an overall positivity score of 90.3%, an increase of 7.3 percentage points on last year. With an impressive 87% response rate, the University is ranked 100th out of 453 higher education providers, rising to 11th out of 145 when comparing institutions with at least 500 student responses.

The results reflect continued improvements across every aspect of the student experience. University College Birmingham scored above the sector average in all seven themes measured by the survey, covering teaching, academic support, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, learning resources, organisation and management, and student voice.

"At UCB, we have always believed that higher education should be about more than gaining a qualification. For us, it is about giving students the practical skills, industry insight and confidence they need to succeed in their chosen careers."

Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Some of the University's biggest gains were in Organisation and Management and Student Voice, demonstrating the impact of continued investment in improving how students are supported, listened to and engaged throughout their time at UCB.

Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said:

"These results are a fantastic endorsement of the experience we provide for our students and the commitment of colleagues across the University.

At UCB, we have always believed that higher education should be about more than gaining a qualification. For us, it is about giving students the practical skills, industry insight and confidence they need to succeed in their chosen careers. Our focus on career-focused learning, strong employer connections and personalised support is what makes the UCB experience distinctive.

We are delighted that our students have recognised this in their feedback, and we will continue listening to them and investing in the areas that matter most to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their ambitions."

The National Student Survey is one of the UK's largest annual surveys of final-year undergraduate students, providing valuable insight into students' experiences of teaching, learning and support. This year's results reinforce University College Birmingham's reputation for delivering a high-quality, practical, career-focused education where students feel supported to achieve their ambitions.

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