NSS 2025: best score on atmosphere, engagement and practice-oriented approach
For the second time in a row, NHL Stenden students have rated our university of applied sciences higher than the previous year on all topics, according to the National Student Survey (NSE). Chairman of the Executive Board Marc Otto says proudly: ‘These results show what makes NHL Stenden so special: a place where students feel at home, can develop themselves and choose their own path.’
Top ranking for atmosphere and practical orientation
On no fewer than 3 topics, NHL Stenden scores best of all major universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. For instance, ‘engagement and contact’, ‘connection to professional practice’ and ‘ the atmosphere at your course programme’ are rated highly by our students. When it comes to ‘study facilities’, ‘content and organisation of teaching’ and ‘ lecturers’, we are in the national top 3. Overall student satisfaction was already on the rise and now rises - on a scale of 1 to 5 - to an impressive 3.74. A wonderful score that exceeds the national average.
Room to choose your own path
A great achievement, agrees Marc Otto, chairman of the Executive Board. ‘These results show that our students feel at home and have the room to choose their own path. As Home of the Originals, we encourage critical thinking and individuality. The fact that our students specifically value the atmosphere and hands-on orientation within NHL Stenden shows that our educational approach really matches what they need. Something to be proud of.’
Student feedback as tool for improvement
The NSE is more than just a poll. The results are an important source of insights for continuous improvement of education and student facilities. ‘We listen carefully to what our students say on various topics and use their feedback to build on our strengths and realise improvements. These positive results are a compliment to our lecturers and staff and motivate us to continue on our course.’
The NSE shows what is going well and also what could be improved on. It shows what students are satisfied with and what they are critical of. On the topics ‘information from the study programme’ and ‘testing and assessment’, NHL Stenden has room for improvement. A positive development is that the scores on these themes did climb compared to last year.
The National Student Survey
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students give their opinions about their course programmes through the NSE. All students in higher education are invited by the Landelijk Centrum Studiekeuze (LCSK) to complete a questionnaire on various aspects of their education. As many as 9,205 NHL Stenden students made their voices heard. The NSE was conducted early this year and the results were published last Tuesday. The results are important input for future students when making their study choice and are used by universities of applied sciences to continuously improve their education.
