National Student Survey (NSS) 2026 opens: Five ways you can support student participation

Each year, NSS feedback plays an important role in helping us understand what’s working well and where we can continue to improve - supporting our Manchester 2035 commitment to student partnership, inclusive education and continuous enhancement of teaching and assessment. 

Colleagues across the University play a vital role in encouraging students to take part. Here are five practical ways you can help support a positive and meaningful NSS period. 

1. Visit the NSS Hub and use promotional materials in your teaching spaces 

A range of NSS promotional resources are available for colleagues to use, including lecture slides and digital materials. 

You can: 

• Include a slide in lectures, seminars or tutorials 

• Add NSS messaging to Canvas or other online teaching spaces 

• Share reminders via programme or course communications 

These small prompts help keep the NSS visible and signal that student feedback is valued. 

• Visit the NSS Hub 

2. Ask teaching staff to get involved 

Students consistently tell us they are most likely to engage with surveys when encouraged by staff they know. 

You can support this by: 

• Encouraging teaching colleagues to briefly mention the NSS in classes 

• Sharing why NSS feedback matters locally, not just institutionally 

• Using the provided slides as a starting point, tailored to your discipline or programme 

This helps reinforce a culture of partnership and shared responsibility for improvement. 

3. Work with Student Academic Reps 

Student Academic Reps are trusted voices within their cohorts and are well placed to help raise awareness of the NSS. 

Consider: 

• Sharing NSS information and materials with your reps 

• Encouraging reps to remind students through their networks 

• Highlighting examples of changes made in response to student feedback 

You can find more information about Academic Reps via the Students’ Union: 

• https://manchesterstudentsunion.com/reps 

4. Tell students about our new incentives 

Each year students eligible NSS have an opportunity to take part in a prize draw. This year we’ve introduced a new premium tier of prizes – students can win VIP backstage Parklife tickets for them and a friend; £300 flight vouchers; a graduation package; and food and shopping vouchers. We also donate £2 to charity for every completed NSS. 

Letting students know about incentives can help prompt engagement, alongside messages about the value of their feedback. The Parklife prize has been of particular interest to students so far this year. 

5. Keep the focus on listening and improvement 

Above all, the NSS is about listening to students and using their insights to improve teaching, assessment and the wider student experience. 

Where possible: 

• Acknowledge previous feedback and the changes it has informed 

• Reinforce that completing the survey is one-way students shape the future of Manchester 

• Encourage participation without directing or influencing responses 

We’ll continue to share guidance, resources and updates throughout the survey period.  

Thank you for the vital role you play in encouraging students to have their say and helping us build an even better student experience at Manchester.