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Information for staff on UCL's institutional surveys, including who is eligible to take part and the latest results.
Our institutional student survey cycle reflects the journeys of our students throughout their time at UCL, aiming to keep the number of surveys that they are asked to respond to as low as possible, while collecting the information we need to make improvements.
In general, our undergraduates take just one survey per year, while our master’s students might complete two.
Find student-facing information on institutional surveys. Explore marketing materials and guides (UCL staff only).
UCL's institutional surveys
New to UCL
For new students at all levels of study
All new students (including those on foundation courses and students studying via affiliates) are invited to complete an internal survey which captures their opinions of arrival, induction and motivations for studying here. The survey also helps us explore the experiences of groups who are under-represented at UCL.
The survey runs from late October to early December each year.
Students are automatically entered into a prize draw upon completing the survey: 1 x £500 cash; 2 x £250 cash; 10 x £25 cash.
New to UCL 2025-26 was open between Monday 20 October and Friday 5 December 2025. The Student Surveys team will email staff when the results are available between late February and early March 2026.
Review programme and departmental-level results on Tableau.
Read open text comments from New to UCL (UCL staff login required).
Annual Programme Survey (APS)
For all taught students
All students will be asked to complete this internal survey focused on their programme and modules. The APS typically runs in late Term 2 and late Term 3.
We run the Annual Programme Survey to help us identify and act more promptly on issues affecting students. The APS makes up part of the data that informs Department Education Plans so that we know we are continually improving.
UCL students studying overseas will be able to complete the survey, but should only provide answers based on their time at UCL.
Eligible students will be invited to complete the survey via email and are automatically entered into a prize draw upon completing the survey.
Download digital marketing assets.
View last year's APS questions (UCL staff only) and review the results (UCL staff only).
National Student Survey (NSS)
For final-year undergraduates
At UCL, NSS 2026 will be open from Thursday 15 January until Wednesday 30 April 2026.
The NSS is a high-profile annual survey of nearly half a million students across the UK.
The NSS is managed on behalf of the Office for Students (OfS) by Ipsos, an independent survey research agency, which runs the NSS during the second term each year. The NSS covers the academic experience, including:
- teaching
- assessment and feedback
- academic support
- organisation and management
- learning resources.
The NSS is a UCL institutional priority and the data is also reported annually to UCL Council. The NSS results are also examined at the UCL Education Committee. NSS results form part of the information shown on the Discover Uni website, alongside graduate destinations and salaries, student continuation rates, tariff points for entry and accreditation/professional recognition of courses across the UK.
Student prize draw
This academic year 20 eligible UCL students will have the opportunity to win a graduation package or the equivalent cash prize.
The graduation package includes:
- 1 x graduation gown hire
- 2 x guest tickets
- 1 x studio portrait
- Postage and packaging – up to £29.95.
The NSS will provide a list of winners to the UCL Student Surveys team, who will contact the winners by email a few weeks after the survey closing date.
Results, guidance and markeing materials
- Access assets and guidance for the 2026 campagin (UCL login required).
- Review NSS 2025 results through Tableau (UCL login required). If needed, please request access through MyServices.
- Any queries, please email student.engagement@ucl.ac.uk
Funding for high response rates
UCL departments can qualify for additional funding to use in collaboration with students if they achieve an NSS response rate of 70% or higher. The Student Surveys team will email the departments that are eligible for the funds.
| Size of NSS-eligible cohort | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1-49 students | £250 |
| 50-99 students | £400 |
| 100-149 students | £650 |
| 150-199 students | £1,000 |
| 200 or more students | £1,500 |
Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
For research students
This is also a national survey which collects students’ responses about the academic experience, and provides an opportunity to benchmark our performance against the sector and Russell Group.
The PRES is administered by the UCL Doctoral School and runs in March and April every other year.
Why are student surveys important?
UCL puts students’ feedback, insights and contributions at the heart of our decision-making. We want students to know that we value their feedback and ensure they are given the opportunity to participate as partners in the process of shaping education at UCL.
Surveys are an important tool in gathering student feedback on their experience of studying at UCL, and complement UCL's other feedback opportunities. Whether collecting student perspectives on teaching, accommodation, or facilities, UCL encourages students to tell us what works and what needs improving.
Student survey policy and guidance
UCL's survey policy states that no large-scale surveys of students should be conducted without prior agreement from the Office of the Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience).
This does not include small-scale surveys (for instance of all the students in your department) but would cover, for example, a survey of all study abroad students.
Please note that in line with UCL’s Survey Policy, no institution-wide survey should take place at the same time as any of our annual student surveys.
Further information
Survey Liaison Officers
UCL Survey Liaison Officers circulate institutional surveys and make sure that people in their department respond to them. A Survey Liaison Officers is a staff member who:
- is a point of contact for the Student Surveys team (Higher Education Development & Support Institute)
- receives and distributes survey materials for their department for the National Student Survey (NSS), New to UCL Survey, and Annual Programme Surveys.
- encourages students to take the survey
- informs staff of the survey.
The list of UCL Survey Liaison Officers is updated every academic year by the Student Surveys team. If you have any questions about this list, please email student.engagement@ucl.ac.uk