More than two-thirds of respondents to an AMS survey reported a strong sense of belonging at Queen’s.
The AMS conducted a Winter 2026 Student Experience Survey covering multiple issues surrounding Queen’s student life, one of which was their sense of belonging.
4,031 students responded to the survey between March 23 and April 20.
According to the survey, 67.1 per cent of respondents reported they felt a strong or very strong sense of belonging, while 8.2 per cent felt a weak or very weak sense of belonging. 24.6 per cent were neutral.
Responses for a strong or very strong sense of belonging stayed consistent, at around 65 to 70 per cent across all undergraduate years.
In an interview with The Journal, AMS Vice-President (University Affairs) Edward Sy and Director of Communications Akaran Siva spoke about sense of belonging at Queen’s.
“It’s really encouraging to see that the majority of students report a strong sense of belonging at the school,” Siva said. However, he said, students who reported a weaker sense of belonging cannot be overlooked.
“There are always opportunities for improvement,” Sy said.
Sy identified three possible factors that may prevent students from feeling a sense of belonging at Queen’s: awareness, affordability, and representation.
Sy said representation can be an obstacle to sense of belonging, particularly for equity deserving students who may not see themselves being represented around campus. He said students “seek those who have similar experiences” and highlighted the importance of cultural and identity-based clubs that allow students to feel supported.
Siva explained that these barriers do not necessarily disappear as time passes.
“This just reinforces that sense of belonging needs ongoing attention throughout a student’s time at Queen’s,” Siva said.
Queen’s also examined campus culture and climate through the 2023 SHIFT Survey, where 3,540 students responded.
According to the survey, 74 per cent of respondents felt “close to people at Queen’s” and 51 per cent agreed with the statement that “all students feel welcomed and supported by students at this school, regardless of background or identity.” Another 53 per cent of respondents reported feeling “the need to hide some aspects of their identity to fit in.”
Queen’s 2026 SHIFT Survey results are expected to be released later in the fall.
READ MORE: Queen’s sends out Shift Survey for the first time in three years
At a national level, the wellbeing and sense of belonging of Canadian students was assessed through the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS).
According to its National Snapshot: Student Survey Fall 2024 – Winter 2025, 53 per cent of respondents across Canada reported feeling lonely and 48 per cent reported low social support. Seventy-six per cent of students felt “respected regardless of identity.”
Similar surveys at universities across Canada also show students’ sense of belonging.
In McMaster University’s Student Affairs: Together We Thrive 2024-25 Annual Report, 87 per cent of respondents “feel they belong” and 82 per cent “have a group community or social circle where they feel belonging.”
At the University of Guelph, the Office of the President reported 73 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that they feel a sense of belonging to the university community in 2025-26.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) also measured belonging through its own campus experience survey. From UBC’s 2025 AMS Student Academic Experience Survey Report, 58 per cent of respondents felt a sense of belonging on campus.
Tags
AMS Student Experience Survey, Sense of belonging, shift survey
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