National Student Survey shows strengths of English studies (non-specific) at York

Posted on Tuesday 15 July 2025

We placed 2nd in the Russell Group for ‘academic support’, ‘student voice’ and =2nd for ‘learning opportunities’, among universities included for English studies (non-specific) in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS). 

Academic support

• Q15. ‘How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?’ - we scored 96.2%
• Q16. ‘How well have teaching staff supported your learning?’ - we scored 94.8%

Student voice

• Q22. ‘To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?’ - we scored 89.5%
• Q23. ‘To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?’ - we scored 89.8%
• Q24. ‘How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?’ - we scored 74.1%

Learning opportunities

• Q6. How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned? - we scored 93.3%
• Q5. To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth? - we scored 88.8%
• Q7. To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics? - we scored 91.7%
• Q8. To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study? - we scored 80%
• Q9. How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future? - we scored 81.2%

We placed 3rd for ‘teaching on my course’ and  ‘organisation and management’ in the Russell Group among universities included for English studies (non-specific) in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).

Teaching on my course

• Q1. How good are teaching staff at explaining things? - we scored 96.7%
• Q2. How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging? - we scored 97.6%
• Q3. How often is the course intellectually stimulating? - we scored 96.2%
• Q4. How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work? - we scored 89.8%

Organisation and management

• Q17. How well organised is your course? - we scored 89.5%
• Q18. How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated? - we scored 90.4%

We placed 4th for ‘learning resources’ in the Russell Group among universities included for English studies (non-specific) in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).

• Q21. ‘How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?’ - we scored 89.6%
• Q20. ‘How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?’ - we scored 96.1%
• Q19. ‘How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?’ - we scored 92.7%

Professor Jennie Batchelor, Head of the Department of English and Related Literature, said “We are thrilled with the excellent NSS feedback from our students, which is testament to the intellectual passion and ambition of our staff and the inclusive and supportive academic community we pride ourselves on creating. The brilliant class of 2025 began their degrees at the tail end of the pandemic and has showed incredible resilience over the last few years. We wish them all the very best for their future!”

What is the National Student Survey?

The NSS is a nationwide survey of final-year students in higher and further education. They answer questions on a variety of aspects of their university experience, including their department and course. 

Almost 2,800 York students responded to the 2025 survey, helping prospective applicants to compare courses and make informed decisions about where to study. The survey empowers those taking part to shape the future of their course, giving universities honest feedback on what they are doing well and where they can improve.