University Centre South Essex students rate their experience best in the region

Record-breaking NSS 2025 results place UCSE at the top across multiple categories

Students at University Centre South Essex (UCSE), part of the South Essex College Group (SECG), have delivered a powerful endorsement of their higher education experience in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) 2025 - with results that place UCSE as a regional leader in student satisfaction across nearly every major category.

Conducted by independent research agency Ipsos and commissioned by the Office for Students, the NSS captures the honest feedback of final-year undergraduate students across the UK. This year’s results have been nothing short of exceptional for UCSE, reflecting the institution’s relentless focus on quality teaching, academic support, and student engagement.

An outstanding 89.9% of eligible students responded to the survey - 125 out of 139 - a response rate significantly above the national average, highlighting the trust students place in the institution and their willingness to help shape its future.

Key NSS 2025 Highlights:

• Teaching on My Course: Up from 91.1% to 95.4%
• Organisation and Management: Leapt from 77.3% to 86.4%
• Learning Opportunities: Rose to 91.8%
• Assessment and Feedback: Improved by 2.7 points to 91.5%
• Academic Support: Climbed to 94.8%
• Student Voice: Increased to 82.8%

These achievements confirm that UCSE is not only meeting but exceeding student expectations across core aspects of the academic experience.
In a competitive landscape including the University of Essex, Anglia Ruskin University, and Colchester Institute, SECG has emerged as a regional frontrunner, securing the highest scores in six out of seven core NSS themes.

Performance Compared to Regional Institutions:

• Teaching Excellence: 95.4% (vs. 87.02% average) – #1 in region
• Learning Opportunities: 91.8% (vs. 86.37%) – Top ranking
• Assessment & Feedback: 91.5% (vs. 85.12%) – Leading position
• Academic Support: 94.8% (vs. 88.62%) – Highest rated
• Organisation & Management: 86.4% (vs. 78.13%) – Strongest in region
• Student Voice: 82.8% (vs. 78.2%) – Regional leader
• Learning Resources: 69.2% (vs. 86.64%) – Identified area for future investment

Sharon Dunphy, Deputy Executive Director - HE and Quality Performance and Standards at SECG, said: “We are incredibly proud of these results, which reflect the dedication of our staff and the strong, collaborative relationship we have with our students. The improvements across so many key areas show our deep commitment to continual enhancement and delivering a truly outstanding student experience.”

UCSE’s exceptional response rate, the highest among comparator institutions, underscores the value placed on student feedback. This collaborative culture ensures that student perspectives drive real change and innovation across the institution.

UCSE’s stellar NSS 2025 results signal a thriving academic community - one that is growing not just in size but in quality, ambition, and student satisfaction.
As the university centre continues to invest in its infrastructure and learning resources, it remains committed to building on this year’s success and delivering even greater outcomes in 2026.