The best universities for Art
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Teesside University, followed by Liverpool Hope University and The University of Chichester make up the leading three for Art 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 64 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why Teesside University leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 64 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
Teesside University
It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
86.7% positive—22.5 percentage points above the 64.2% all-provider peer average.
- Learning opportunitiesSkills for the future
100.0% positive—22.5 percentage points above the 77.5% all-provider peer average.
Liverpool Hope University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 91.2%, which is 27.0 points above the 64.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 64 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
The University of Chichester
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 26.3 points above the 73.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 64 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Goldsmiths' College
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 84.5%, which is 20.2 points above the 64.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 64 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 5 in the previous table.
Robert Gordon University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 87.8%, which is 23.5 points above the 64.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 64 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 9 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 Art
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 | —Not ranked | New | Teesside University2026 only | 92.80% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 22024–2025 average | — | Liverpool Hope University2025–2026 average | 92.71% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Chichester2026 only | 92.62% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Goldsmiths' College2025–2026 average | 92.29% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | Robert Gordon University2025–2026 average | 91.66% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University College London2025–2026 average | 90.54% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Coventry University2025–2026 average | 90.17% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 182024–2025 average | ↑ 10 | University of Lincoln2025–2026 average | 89.90% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Leeds Beckett University2025–2026 average | 88.44% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 512024–2025 average | ↑ 41 | University of Greater Manchester2025–2026 average | 88.18% | 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 Art 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 Art ranking
What leads the Art ranking in 2026?
Teesside University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 92.80%. 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 Art ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.