University-wide surveys

The University participates in nationally-benchmarked surveys, in order to encourage positive changes to its provision and to continually enhance the student experience.  Any concerns identified through the surveys' results are referred to the relevant Schools, Departments or Faculties, and subsequently to the appropriate General Board Committee (with student representation), for consideration.  

In addition to national surveys, students are surveyed by their course or Department, to obtain a full picture of their experience.

National Student Survey (NSS)

The NSS is a national survey of final year undergraduate students which has been run annually since 2005 and is administered by an external body, Ipsos MORI.  Students are asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the quality of their course and the overall student experience. In 2023 the Office for Students revised the survey which now asks 27 main questions in the following themes:

  • Teaching on my course
  • Learning opportunities
  • Assessment and feedback
  • Academic support
  • Organisation and management
  • Learning resources
  • Student voice
  • Student Union
  • Mental wellbeing services
  • Freedom of expression

There is an optional free text question: Looking back on the experience, are there any particularly positive or negative aspects you would like to highlight? 

Healthcare students are also asked an additional six questions concerning their placement and there are banks of optional questions institutions may ask their students. In 2025, Cambridge asked two institution-specific questions concerning college supervision and support. 

All responses are anonymised and cannot be published unless the institution reaches a publication threshold (50% participation overall and a minimum of 10 respondents per cohort).  

Cambridge NSS 2025 response rate was 59.4% and the sector response was 71.5%. Analysis of the data at department and college level may be found on Tableau and high level information may be found here

Postgraduate Teaching Experience Survey (PTES)

Cambridge PTES 2025 response rate was 12.7% from a PGT population of 5102; the sector response rate was 25.7%. The Cambridge and sector response rate has been low since we re-engaged with PTES in 2022. Consequently, in October 2025, the General Board's Education Committee agreed to withdraw from the PTES survey and to develop an in- house PGT experience survey.

Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)

PRES is provided by Advance HE and is run biennially at Cambridge. Students are asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the quality of their course, how well elements of it have met their expectations, and their satisfaction within the following themes:

  • Supervisions
  • Resources
  • Research Culture
  • Community
  • Progress and Assessment
  • Responsibilities
  • Research Skills
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Overall Satisfaction

The University can also ask an unlimited number of institution-specific questions. Further information can be found at Engagement and feedback | Cambridge students