Birmingham Newman University Ranks Among Top Ten UK Universities in NSS 2025

10/07/2025 by James Keyes

Birmingham Newman University has once again been recognised as one of the top-performing universities in the country in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, ranking ninth nationally for overall student positivity and second in the West Midlands. 

The results, based on feedback from final year undergraduate students across the UK, show an overall positivity score of 86.6% for Birmingham Newman, outperforming the sector average and reflecting the university’s continued focus on high-quality teaching, support, and inclusive learning experiences. 

Key Highlights from NSS 2025

  • 1st in the West Midlands for Learning Opportunities
  • 1st in the West Midlands for Student Voice
  • 4th in England for Assessment and Feedback
  • 2nd in the West Midlands for Overall Positivity  
  • Top 10 nationally for overall positivity (9th in England) for the third consecutive year 

Birmingham Newman also ranked 4th in England for Assessment and Feedback and secured 1st place in the West Midlands for both Learning Opportunities and Student Voice demonstrating the University’s continued focus on academic quality and meaningful student engagement. 

The results reveal strong performances in areas that matter most to students. The university scored particularly well in questions around timely assessment feedback (93%), support from teaching staff (91.7%), and opportunities to develop knowledge and skills for the future (87.9%). 

Across nearly every main theme teaching quality, academic support, organisation, and student voice Birmingham Newman outperformed the sector average, continuing a multi-year trend demonstrating that Birmingham Newman consistency scores highly in all aspects of student satisfaction. 

Professor Jackie Dunne, Vice – Chancellor of Birmingham Newman University welcomed the NSS results: “We are incredibly proud of this year’s NSS results, which reflect the dedication and commitment of our staff in putting students at the heart of everything we do. The strength of these results across areas such as teaching, assessment, and student voice demonstrates how we continue to live our values supporting each student to achieve their best. 

Our students consistently tell us that what sets Birmingham Newman apart is the sense of community across the university, and the personalised attention they receive from our dedicated staff,” added Professor Dunne.

“These results show that our student-first approach is working, and we’re committed to doing even more.” 

The full NSS results will help shape future improvements across the university, with staff, students and stakeholders working together to ensure Birmingham Newman remains a place where every student can belong, grow, and succeed. 

This year’s NSS success builds on a series of recent accolades for Birmingham Newman University. At the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, the University was nationally recognised for Student Support and highly commended for Career Prospects—awards based entirely on student reviews.

In the Complete University Guide 2025, Birmingham Newman was proudly named University of the Year for the West Midlands and ranked 1st in the region for Student Satisfaction. Together, these achievements reaffirm the University’s growing reputation for academic excellence, outstanding support, and a strong student-centred ethos that extends beyond the classroom.

*The survey was measured by % overall positivity (Q1-24) of taught full-time first-degree students in NSS 2025′

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