NSS results highlight QMU's teaching excellence and sector-leading subject performance
Results from the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026 have highlighted Queen Margaret University's (QMU) strengths in teaching quality and student support, with QMU ranked highest among Edinburgh-based universities for Teaching on My Course and Students' Union representation of students' academic interests.
The survey found that 78.7% of QMU students were satisfied overall with the quality of their course, while several programmes achieved exceptional results, including two courses recording 100% overall satisfaction.
The National Student Survey (NSS) is conducted by the Office for Students (OfS) on behalf of the UK higher education funding and regulatory bodies. As well as capturing student views on the quality of their undergraduate degree, the survey gathers responses on academic support, learning opportunities, teaching quality, assessment and feedback, learning resources, and student voice. Student feedback helps prospective students make informed choices about higher education and supports universities in enhancing the student experience.
Key highlights from QMU's 2026 results include:
Courses achieving 100% overall satisfaction
- BA (Hons) Education Studies
- BSc (Hons) Nursing
Courses achieving 90% or higher overall satisfaction
- DipHE Hearing Aid Audiology (95%)
- Master of Nursing (96%)
- BSc (Hons) and Master of Diagnostic Radiography (93%)
- BSc (Hons) and Master of Speech and Language Therapy (92%)
- BSc (Hons) and Master of Podiatry (90%)
- BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary) (90%)
QMU also performed strongly against both sector averages and local universities. Highlights include:
- Highest score among Edinburgh universities for the Teaching on My Course theme.
- Highest score among Edinburgh universities for How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
- Highest score among Edinburgh universities for How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
- Highest score among Edinburgh universities for How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
- Highest score among Edinburgh universities for How well does the students' union represent students' academic interests?
Several subject areas also achieved exceptional national results. Adult Nursing (which relates to QMU’s BSc (Hons) and Master of Nursing programmes) ranked in the top three nationally across six of the ten NSS themes, including:
- 1st in the UK for Student Voice
- 1st for Overall Satisfaction (among UK nations where the question is asked)
- 2nd for Teaching on My Course
Meanwhile, QMU's Medical Technology subject area, comprising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography courses, ranked 1st in the UK for Overall Satisfaction with a score of 93.8%, based on responses from students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, (where the Overall Satisfaction question was asked).
The NSS results demonstrate the continuing commitment of our staff to delivering an engaging, supportive and professionally relevant student experience. We are particularly pleased to be recognised as the leading Edinburgh institution for teaching quality, and to see outstanding performances in areas relating to our nursing, radiography and education studies degrees. While there are areas for improvement, these results provide valuable insight that will help us continue to enhance the experience of our students. We remain focused on ensuring every student can thrive, achieve their academic potential and graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for their future careers.
