UHI first in Scotland for nursing in 2025 National Student Survey

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has been recognised as first in Scotland for student satisfaction in adult nursing and second for mental health nursing in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).

UHI achieved an outstanding 92% overall satisfaction rate for its adult and mental health nursing programmes combined*, significantly above the Scottish sector average and ahead of other universities offering nursing programmes across Scotland.

This success follows UHI’s strong overall performance in the 2025 NSS, where it was ranked 4th in Scotland for overall student satisfaction across all subject areas – its highest-ever position.

The annual NSS gathers feedback from final-year students across the UK on various aspects of their learning experience. UHI’s exceptional results reflect the quality of its nursing provision, and its commitment to student success, with students rating the university highly for teaching quality, academic support and learning resources.

Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said:

“These results highlight the dedication and expertise of our staff. Nursing is at the heart of our communities, and we are proud that our students recognise the value of the education and support they receive at UHI.”

Professor Nicola Carey, Head of Centre for Rural Health Sciences, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have achieved the highest NSS score for our nursing programme. This is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our staff, the commitment and enthusiasm of our students, and the strong collaboration we have with our local healthcare partners.

“This result reflects our shared mission to prepare future nurses who are not only clinically excellent but also equipped with the skills and understanding to meet the needs of diverse communities across the Highlands and Islands, whether in urban, remote or rural locations.”

UHI’s nursing programmes are delivered in collaboration with local health boards and care providers across the Highlands and Islands, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and strong employability prospects.

Applications for September 2025 entry are still open. For more information about studying nursing at UHI and to apply, visit our nursing webpages.

*Results are based on question 28 (overall satisfaction) for the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS), within the subject area of 'adult nursing' among providers in the Scotland dataset.