Cheaper on-campus food42.9%
60 responses
Mental health support21.4%
30 responses
Better quality teaching21.4%
30 responses
Career guidance14.3%
20 responses
Unifresher student poll
What do you wish your university did better?
We asked the Unifresher audience which one of four areas they most wished their university did better. Cheaper on-campus food was the clear leading answer.
Quick answer
Cheaper on-campus food was the most selected improvement. 42.9% chose cheaper on-campus food, compared with 21.4% for mental health support, 21.4% for better quality teaching and 14.3% for career guidance.
Full results
How all 140 respondents answered
Respondents selected one answer from four options.
Cheaper on-campus food was selected by 60 respondents, making it the strongest answer in the poll.
Mental health support and better quality teaching were exactly level, with 30 responses each. Career guidance received 20 responses.
The result does not prove food is the biggest problem at universities. It shows which of these four options this audience selected.
What does the result suggest?
Everyday affordability can shape how students judge university life.
The leading answer is notable because it is very practical. Students experience campus costs repeatedly across the week.
Campus costs are visible every day
Food prices can affect students repeatedly across a week, making them a tangible part of university life.
Support still matters
21.4% selected mental health support, so wellbeing remains a meaningful concern.
Teaching and careers are still important
35.7% collectively selected better teaching or career guidance.
Why this matters
Students experience university through everyday details as well as the big promises.
University discussions often focus on teaching, employability and student support. This poll adds a more everyday affordability perspective.
A student can care deeply about their course and still feel frustrated by what it costs to eat between lectures.
For universities and students' unions, affordable food options and transparent pricing may shape student sentiment in ways that are easy to overlook.
How to report this poll accurately
Keep the response base and indicative audience label attached to the headline.
Recommended: In an Unifresher audience poll of 140 responses, 42.9% selected cheaper on-campus food when asked what they wished their university did better.
Methodology
How this poll was recorded
QuestionWhat do you wish your university did better?
Responses140 total responses
Date24 August 2026
Evidence labelIndicative first-party Unifresher audience poll
This is an audience poll rather than a population survey. It is useful as a snapshot of the respondents who took part and should not be described as representative of every UK university student.
Questions readers ask next
FAQs about this result
What did students most want their university to improve?
Cheaper on-campus food was most selected, with 60 of 140 responses, or 42.9%.
How many chose mental health support?
30 respondents selected mental health support, equal to 21.4%.
How many chose better teaching?
30 respondents selected better quality teaching, also 21.4%.
Was career guidance the least selected option?
Yes. Career guidance received 20 responses, or 14.3%.
Does this mean cheaper food is the biggest problem for all students?
No. This was an indicative audience poll with four specific answer options.
Can journalists cite this result?
Yes, with attribution to Unifresher and the response base.
Related Unifresher research
Explore more student attitudes
Survey report
Student money and the cost of university
Financial worry, work and tuition value.
View resultSurvey reportStudent loneliness, wellbeing and social pressure
Research on balance and mental health support.
View resultPollsBrowse all student polls
See the ongoing audience polling programme.
View resultCite this poll
Unifresher poll, "What do you wish your university did better?", 140 responses, recorded 24 August 2026. Unifresher Data Hub.