Student survey 2025: Summary

This summary presents key data from our annual student survey for the academic year 2024/25, which collected responses between 28 April and 13 June 2025.

Overview

Our 2025 annual student survey received a 29% response rate – a little higher than the previous year’s 25%. Overall student satisfaction remained high at 81%, with learning and teaching receiving an overall satisfaction rating of 84%.

Modest improvements were recorded in a number of areas, including support for health and wellbeing; the professional doctorate and research experience; assessment and feedback; community and culture; student engagement; library services; digital learning environment; and learning and teaching. More significant improvements were observed in Placements and Observations and IT resources, with satisfaction ratings increasing in these areas by 10% and 11% respectively.

Areas of concern included the disabled student experience, communication and organisation, feedback and engagement; and the overseas student experience.

Background

We have run an annual student survey in various forms since 2004. To enable benchmarking, the questions are largely based on the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) and the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), both run nationally by Advance HE. This anonymous survey is a key component of the Trust’s engagement with students, alongside more frequent touchpoints, such as course committee and Dean’s Forum meetings.

Response rate

The 2025 annual student survey received a 29% response rate, which represents a slight increase from the 25% response rate recorded in 2024. It compares favourably with the 2024 PTES response rate of 13%.

Student satisfaction

Overall student satisfaction remained high at 81%. In the equivalent 2025 national surveys, AdvanceHE reported overall satisfaction rates of 84% in both the PTES and the PRES – meaning that the Trust’s overall satisfaction rating is broadly comparable with these national benchmarks.

Key areas of good practice

Teacher and two students sat on read chairs in a semi circle with windows behind them

Learning and teaching

Satisfaction in this area remained high at 84%, with 97% of students sharing that their course was intellectually stimulating, and 93% that staff were enthusiastic about what they were teaching.

The Tavistock Centre library silent study space with a row of study desks with chairs, and a book shelf

Library services

Overall levels of satisfaction in relation to library services increased in 2025, with 91% of respondents agreeing that they had appropriate access to online resources and 81% that information skills support met their needs.

Student and tutor talking in corridor at The Tavistock Centre

Experience of research students

Overall levels of satisfaction associated with the research experience increased in 2025, with 84% of students agreeing that their research skills had improved as a result of their course.

Student and tutor in stairway of Tavistock Centre

Experience of black students

Overall satisfaction levels shared by black students remained at 89% in 2025, with black students particularly reporting positive experiences in relation to assessment and feedback, and research induction, progression and assessment.

Key areas for improvement

Close-up of student writing in a notebook

Experience of disabled students

Disabled student satisfaction increased by 8% to 76% in 2025, but there remains a significant gap between disabled and non-disabled experience in most areas of student life.

Course organisation

Overall satisfaction in this area remained low at 62%, with students sharing concerns around communication, contingency planning for staff absences, and guidance on processes.

Audience on Right Side of Lecture Theatre

Community and culture

64% of students reported that they felt a sense of belonging at the Tavistock and Portman, which is an increase of 11% on the previous year, but is still below where we want to be. There were requests for more opportunities to interact with peers, and particularly with wider research communities.

Retention

26% of survey respondents shared that they had considered leaving their course, with the demands of balancing personal, professional and academic commitments cited as a major contributing factor.

Actions and use of results

The full results of the 2025 student survey have been analysed and presented via detailed reports, which have formed the basis of action plans in key areas.

The feedback is also integrated into our annual course review – informing course-level action plans, which are discussed at course committees.

A number of steps have already been taken to address some of the concerns raised by students in previous student surveys, including:

A new Reasonable Adjustment policy for disabled students, introducing a ‘yes first’ approach to providing support
Introduction of a ‘Quiet Space’ for students needing to decompress
Introduction of two self-study units for staff on embedding disability inclusion into learning and teaching

What’s next?

Our next focus areas for consideration and improvement, based on the results of the 2025 student survey, will include:

The development of ‘curious coffees’ – an informal way to facilitate student networking
Enhancement of student representative structures and processes to amplify the student voice
Reviewing and revising the student charter in collaboration with students.