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• The present study highlights the need for the promotion of well-being among students and the importance of basic psychological needs (BPNs) for their well-being.
• Satisfaction of basic psychological needs enables students to feel vital, which ultimately improves their well-being. 
• Results from this study may help students, educators, and other stakeholders to seek and develop supportive environments wherein basic psychological needs are satisfied.
• Helping students to gain initiative for greater independence in decision-making, increasing student competence, and developing relationship-building skills among students is necessary for their full performance.

Plain Language Summary 
This study analyzed the relationship between basic psychological needs (BPNs), subjective vitality, and well-being among students. The study provides substantial support for BPNs and subjective vitality as predictors of well-being. Moreover, findings provide insight into the underlying mechanism of BPNs and well-being relationship by highlighting subjective vitality as a potential mediator. The findings from this research have direct implications when the well-being of students is considered. The results showed that subjective vitality mediates the effect of BPNs on well-being. In addition, gender differences were observed in the assessment of BPN in relation to well-being. The results from this study may help students, educators, and other stakeholders to seek and develop a supportive environment wherein BPNs are satisfied in general and domain-specific, which ultimately can improve their vitality and well-being. Universities and colleges should focus on helping students make more independent decisions by affirming their choices, promoting student competence in distinctive ways, and developing relationship-building skills among students. These can be achieved through curricular and co-curricular activities.