Student satisfaction remains very high at Scotland’s colleges, according to Official Statistics published today. 
 
The latest Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey (SSES) for 2025-26 shows that nine out of ten college students were satisfied with their overall college experience. 
 
Overall satisfaction was 95.5% for full-time Further Education students, 96.7% for part-time Further Education students, 92.9% for full-time Higher Education students and 92.7% for part-time Higher Education students. 
 
Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland, welcomed the findings in the report: “I am delighted to see colleges consistently delivering high levels of student satisfaction. It reflects the dedication and professionalism of Scotland’s college staff, who continue to deliver outstanding learning and teaching while creating supportive environments for students to thrive in.

“It is encouraging to see satisfaction remaining strong across both further and higher education, and particularly pleasing that response rates improved across all cohorts, with the largest increases among part-time students.”

“The findings highlight the crucial role colleges play in equipping students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workplace. Every year, thousands of college learners progress into vital sectors including construction, engineering, health and social care, and digital technologies, demonstrating the strong link between college education and employability.

“As Scotland’s skills engines and vital community anchors, colleges educate more than 200,000 students each year across the country. In doing so, they not only help meet the needs of employers and key industries, but also drive economic growth, social mobility and opportunity in communities throughout Scotland.”

The Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey for 2025-26 was carried out over an eight-week period between 2 March and 24 April 2026. A total of 90,155 full-time and part-time college students were surveyed, with response rates improving across all cohorts compared with the previous year.