UEL achieves multiple firsts in London in NSS

Continued excellence 

UEL maintained its strong standing, placing 7th out of 119 higher education institutions in overall positivity, a testament to the University’s consistent delivery of a supportive and future-focused student experience. UEL also secured first place in London across several core areas, including teaching on my course; learning opportunities; and assessment and feedback. Graduating students’ positivity in 2025 rose to 86 per cent*, building on last year’s sector-leading 85% - a continued sign of growing satisfaction and trust in the UEL experience.  

Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of UEL, praised the results as a testament to the university’s community and student-focused approach, 

This year’s National Student Survey results are a powerful reflection of our students’ ambition and the strength of our inclusive careers-first approach to education. Outperforming the sector in student positivity and securing first place in London across key areas like teaching, learning, and feedback and assessment is a testament to the dedication of our entire university community. These results are a testament to the dedication of our staff and the partnership we have with our students.

I’m incredibly proud of our progress and grateful to every student who shared their voice to help us shape the future of UEL. Thank you to all our students for taking part, your feedback is helping us build a truly student-ready, careers-first university. Our University continues to lead with innovation, purpose and a deep commitment to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for all."

Key 2025 National Student Survey highlights

• 2nd in London, 4th in England, and 7th in the UK for overall positivity* 
  Reflecting high levels of student satisfaction across key aspects of university life, from teaching and academic support to wellbeing and community.
• 1st in London for teaching on my course 
  Students praised the quality, clarity, and enthusiasm of teaching staff, as well as the way academic content is delivered and made engaging and relevant.
• 1st in London for learning opportunities 
  UEL was recognised for offering rich learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, including opportunities to explore ideas in depth and apply learning in practical, real-world contexts.
• 1st in London for assessment and feedback 
  Students highlighted the fairness of assessments, the clarity of marking criteria, and the usefulness of feedback in helping them improve and succeed.
• 3rd in London for student voice
  Students felt empowered to share their opinions, with their feedback taken seriously and used to shape their university experience.
• Graduating students’ positivity in 2025 rose to 86%, building on last year’s sector-leading 85% a continued sign of growing satisfaction and trust in the UEL experience.
• 77% student participation rate in the survey 
  This is six percentage points above the national average, demonstrating strong engagement and a high level of trust between UEL and its students. 

The NSS is an annual survey of nearly 350,000 students across the UK, managed by the Office for Students. The survey is one of the largest of its kind in the world, asking students across the UK about a range of factors, including their academic experience, teaching and assessments, and institutions’ mental wellbeing services.

*_{The Overall Positivity scores replicate the Times Higher Education (THE) methodology from 2024. We calculated a proxy positivity score by aggregating the percentage of ‘Very Good’ and ‘Good’ responses across 27 NSS questions. This analysis includes only institutions with over 1,000 responses. Using this methodology, we benchmarked the University of East London (UEL) against similarly sized public competitors.}

Looking ahead 

UEL will build on this year’s exceptional student feedback to continue enhancing the student journey enriching teaching and learning, expanding access to real-world work placements and strengthening wellbeing services. As the University moves further into the next phase of Vision 2028, its 10-year strategy, this insight will inform strategic decisions that keep students at the centre of everything we do.

Looking ahead, UEL remains committed to delivering high-quality teaching that is engaging and relevant, offering inclusive learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, and ensuring assessments and feedback empower students to grow and succeed. These priorities align closely with the University’s 2025 Year of Health campaign, which is driving cross-disciplinary initiatives focused on community health innovation, wellbeing and sustainability. Together, these efforts will help shape a more inclusive, supportive, and future-focused experience for all.