Final-year undergraduates at Sussex are invited to share their experiences through the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026, which is now open.
The NSS is a UK-wide survey of final-year undergraduate students and is an opportunity to reflect on your time at Sussex. Your feedback helps future students make informed choices about where and what to study, and supports the University to improve teaching, support services and the student experience.
Give feedback and support a charity
For every Sussex student who completes the survey, the University will donate £1 to charity. Students can choose from the following charities:
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Surfers Against Sewage
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Rocking Horse Children’s Foundation
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UNICEF
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Student Minds
By taking part, you can help support important causes while also influencing positive change at Sussex.
Free T-shirt for taking part
As a thank you for taking part in the NSS, students who show proof of completion can also collect a free, exclusive University of Sussex t-shirt from NSS Helpers at the Student Centre or the Library
The organic cotton T-shirts are produced by Rapanui, a UK-based print-on-demand supplier using factories powered by renewable energy. Rapanui uses a circular model, meaning the T-shirts can be sent back and recycled into new products once they are worn out. You can scan the QR code inside your T-shirt label to find out more.
Win a graduation package worth £150
All students who complete the NSS online will also be entered into a prize draw to win one of 10 graduation packages worth £150.
Each prize includes:
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gown hire
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two guest tickets
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a basic photography package
Winners will be selected at random by Ipsos. There is no link between how you respond to the survey and your chance of winning.
Please note, the prize draw is only open to students who complete the survey online. Students who complete the survey by phone are not eligible.
Why your voice matters
Your responses help shape the future student experience at Sussex and across the UK. The results:
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help prospective students choose where and what to study
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enable universities to improve courses, teaching and support
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provide an independent national picture of final-year student views
By sharing your experience, you are helping to improve Sussex for current and future students.
Who can take part
You are eligible to complete the survey if you are:
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in your final year of an undergraduate course, including integrated Masters
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on a flexible part-time course and in your fourth year of study
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repeating your penultimate year, in which case you complete the survey now
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an undergraduate who withdrew during your final year
How to complete the survey
Ipsos, the survey provider, will email eligible students around 30 January 2026 with a personal survey link.
You will need your eight-digit student number to complete the survey. It usually takes around five minutes to answer the core questions. You may also be asked to complete two optional questions designed by the University, which are not shared externally.
Once you have completed the survey, Ipsos will not contact you again.
Confidential and independent
The NSS is managed by the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England, and delivered by Ipsos.
Your responses are confidential and anonymised before the University sees them. Sussex cannot see who has completed the survey or view individual responses.
Participation is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part, you can opt out using the Ipsos website.
No inappropriate influence
It is important that your responses reflect your genuine experience. Sussex will not:
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tell you how to respond
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explain how to interpret questions or response scales
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suggest that you must complete the survey
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imply that negative responses will affect your future prospects
If you believe you have been subject to inappropriate influence, you can contact the NSS helpline or the Office for Students.
Spirit of Sussex Award
Completing the NSS counts for five points in the Co-Creation and Evaluation category for the Spirit of Sussex Award.
Find out more
You can read more about the NSS and view frequently asked questions on the National Student Survey website. If you wish to amend your comments or request deletion of your data, you can contact Ipsos by email. Any changes must be made by 30 April 2026.