Arts University Plymouth excels again in the National Student Survey 2025

<p>Across all seven headline NSS themes Arts University Plymouth recorded positive-response rates above the UK sector average and was the <strong>top‑scoring specialist arts university in five of the seven main NSS categories</strong>: ‘Teaching on my course’, ‘Learning opportunities’, ‘Assessment and feedback’, ‘Organisation and management’, and ‘Student voice’, when compared against the UK’s other specialist arts universities (Arts University Bournemouth, Falmouth University, Leeds Arts University, Norwich University of the Arts, Ravensbourne University, University for the Creative Arts, and University of the Arts London).</p>

<p>Arts University Plymouth’s specialist courses achieved <strong>100% positive responses in 95 individual survey questions</strong>, with a further 28 questions achieving 95 to 99% positive responses, demonstrating evidence of consistent, sector‑leading quality at the heart of every studio. <strong>BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</strong> and <strong>BA (Hons) Photography</strong> each secured <strong>100% positive responses in 16 individual questions</strong>, with <strong>BA (Hons) Fine Art</strong> and <strong>BA (Hons) Fashion Design</strong> achieved the same in 15 questions apiece.</p>

<p dir="ltr">These outstanding results cluster in the areas that matter most to creative students. <strong>BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</strong>, and <strong>BA (Hons) Photography</strong>, recorded <strong>100 % positive responses to every question in the ‘Student voice’ theme</strong> – including “To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?” and “How clear is it that students’ feedback on the course is acted on?”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>BA (Hons) Fine Art</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong>, and <strong>BA (Hons) Photography</strong> each returned <strong>100% positive feedback in four out of five questions</strong> <strong>in the ‘Assessment and feedback’ theme</strong>, including “How often does feedback help you to improve your work?”, “How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?”, “How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?”, and “How often have you received assessment feedback on time?” <strong>BA (Hons) Fine Art</strong> also returned 1<strong>00% positive responses across the entire ‘Teaching on my course’ theme</strong>, which asks “How good are teaching staff at explaining things?” and “How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">On courses including <strong>BA (Hons) Costume Production</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Fashion Design</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Fine Art</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Interior Design &amp; Styling</strong>, <strong>BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</strong>, and <strong>BA (Hons) Photography</strong>, 100% of respondents answered positively to the question “How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Paul Fieldsend‑Danks, Vice‑Chancellor and Chief Executive, Arts University Plymouth, said: “These National Student Survey results are a powerful endorsement of our hands-on, practice‑based approach. Students have given us 100 % positive responses on key questions about teaching quality, timely feedback and the way their voices shape the course experience. These results are not only a testament to the dedication of our staff, they also fuel Plymouth and the Great South‑West’s creative economy, attracting talent, investment and fresh ideas to the region we proudly serve.”<br /></p>

<p>This year’s NSS follows on from Arts University Plymouth recently ranking <strong>5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction</strong> in the newly published <strong>Complete University Guide 2026</strong>. The leasing arts university was recently named <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/whatuni-south-west-university-of-the-year-2025"><strong>University of the Year for South West England</strong> at the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards</a>, where it also secured regional wins for <strong>Teaching Quality</strong>, <strong>Facilities</strong> and <strong>Student Support</strong>.</p>

<p>These accolades highlight an environment where students thrive, supported by close academic relationships and sector-leading resources. Together they reinforce Arts University Plymouth’s reputation as a national leader in creative education and a catalyst for the South West’s cultural and economic growth.</p>