The best universities for Animal science
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
University of Lincoln, followed by Nottingham Trent University and The University of Surrey make up the leading three for Animal science 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. Because this subject has 21 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Lincoln leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 21 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Lincoln
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
94.2% positive—18.2 percentage points above the 76.0% all-provider peer average.
- Learning opportunitiesBalance of directed and independent study
97.8% positive—17.5 percentage points above the 80.2% all-provider peer average.
Nottingham Trent University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 91.8%, which is 20.8 points above the 71.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 21 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.5%, which is 20.3 points above the 63.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 21 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 5 in the previous table.
Prifysgol Aberystwyth
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 94.0%, which is 18.0 points above the 76.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 21 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
Anglia Ruskin University
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 83.7%, which is 11.6 points above the 72.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 21 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 7 in the previous table.
“Above average” compares each provider with every other current provider in this subject. It describes relative NSS strength, not course content, admissions or graduate outcomes.
Top 10 for Animal science
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 | 12024–2025 average | — | University of Lincoln2025–2026 average | 91.84% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 22024–2025 average | — | Nottingham Trent University2025–2026 average | 89.69% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 88.26% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Prifysgol Aberystwyth2025–2026 average | 87.33% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | Anglia Ruskin University2025–2026 average | 84.33% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 102025 only | ↑ 4 | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 80.81% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of Cumbria2025–2026 average | 80.72% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 82024–2025 average | — | Harper Adams University2025–2026 average | 80.59% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | The University of Liverpool2025–2026 average | 79.50% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 92024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Chester2025–2026 average | 79.37% | 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 Animal science 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 Animal science ranking
What leads the Animal science ranking in 2026?
University of Lincoln is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 91.84%. 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 Animal science ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.