The best universities for American and Australasian studies
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Swansea University, followed by Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Sussex make up the leading three for American and Australasian studies in our 2026 student-view ranking.
Unlike a conventional university guide, this list makes one narrow comparison: how positively recent students described their course experience. The score gives equal influence to the 26 questions shared across all three NSS files and averages 2025 with 2026 wherever both are published.
Top 10 for American and Australasian studies
Current positions use the 2025+2026 window. Previous positions use 2024+2025; “New” means no eligible prior comparison.
| Current pos.2025+2026 table | Previous pos.2024+2025 table | Change | University | Score | Current score data | Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 86.97% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 12025 only | ↓ 1 | Manchester Metropolitan University2025–2026 average | 86.47% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Sussex2025–2026 average | 85.63% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Manchester2025–2026 average | 84.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 52024–2025 average | — | University College London2025–2026 average | 83.35% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 |
Universities are shown by default. The site-wide switch can include every current NSS provider in this live top ten.
See the complete American and Australasian studies ranking →One source. One clear point of view.
The National Student Survey asks final-year undergraduates about teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, support, organisation, resources, student voice, their students’ union and wellbeing information.
We do not add research output, selectivity, institutional spending, staff ratios or graduate salary data. Those measures may be useful elsewhere, but they cannot change what former students said about studying this subject.
Read the complete methodology →About this American and Australasian studies ranking
What leads the American and Australasian studies ranking in 2026?
Swansea University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 86.97%. The result reflects student opinion across the common questions, not a prediction of which institution will suit every applicant.
Why average two NSS years?
Averaging 2025 and 2026 makes the result less sensitive to one unusual cohort. A provider must have published 2026 data to enter the current table; a 2026-only entrant is included and labelled “New”.
Where can I see every university?
The full American and Australasian studies ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.